by Ken Starks
I am not an antagonistic person, nor am I
purposely talking down to anyone who may read this. I simply want to
make a point in a direct and unambiguous way. Any offense taken from
this article stems solely from a guilty conscious or the fact that it
rings painfully true.
Let's just get the facts out of the
way. Now I know too many link-to's can kill a good article but I have
my reasons...please indulge me for the good of the piece.
http://www.vnunet.com/news/1162957
http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/1199
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1823633,00.asp
You may browse these links at your leisure or do it now, but I will
give you the one line down-and-dirty synopsis here: Using Microsoft
Windows is going to destroy your data and completely ruin your system.
Folks, it is not a matter of if, it is only a matter of when.
Is that plain enough? Ok, one more fact. The author of this article is
not an anti-Microsoft Zealot. I have used MS Windows since 3.1 and I of
all people realize that Microsoft is responsible for some of the most
amazing advances in software history. Unfortunately, Microsoft is also
responsible for creating the most insecure and dangerous software in
software history. When you get around to reading the above-linked
articles, you will see that the virus writers and Trojan authors have
reached a new level in maliciousness. For whatever reason, that malice
is aimed directly at you. What did you do to deserve this? Not a darned
thing and that is the most frustrating part of the whole deal.
I'm not going to delve into the motive or the philosophical ideals of
these scum. I am writing this to tell you that you are in danger of
having your data corrupted, compromised and stolen. Now, what are your
options? Well, that's the good news and we are going to explore those
options now.
Lock and Load People, The Enemy Advances
So...you have Microsoft windows XP on your computer. Most computer
users do. What can you do to protect yourself? First off, install SP2
and disable active X. Yes I know, this will cripple about 40% of the
functionality of your browsing, but what the heck...it's in the name of
security. Better yet, just forget Internet Explorer and switch to
Mozilla Suite or Firefox. While there have been some vulnerabilities
found within these browsers, they have been fixed in a matter of hours
and the few in number cannot begin to compare with the exploits written
for IE. Microsoft is still working on problems discovered months ago.
Purchase a product called Norton Internet Security. Yes, it is a bit
pricey...about $70.00, but what price do you put on your data and your
piece of mind? Go ahead and spend the money...it is that necessary. Now
you are going to need something to block adware and spyware. For now
you can download and use Microsoft's own anti-spyware product. For the
brief time being it is free, but in a short period of time, you will be
asked to pay a monthly subscription fee to keep using it. Isn't that a
bit strange? Microsoft gives you a product that is inherently unsafe,
then sells you another product on top of it in the name of protection?
Well, what choice do you have? Do what you have to do.
We're
not done yet. You need to learn how to configure your firewall.
Yes...you really do need to learn to use it. I know that Microsoft and
AOL has wiped your nose for you for years and you haven't really had to
learn how to do much, but times have changed. It is just something you
have to do.
Let's Tally The Cost
So, if your
computer came with Microsoft Windows XP, you paid for the operating
system when you bought the computer. No, it was not free. Think not?
Ask your computer vendor what the price difference is with and without
MS Windows included. It's about 300 bucks. Now, if you need an office
suite, you will probably choose MS Office. Unless you are a student
eligible to purchase it for $150.00, your price is going to be about
$300-$350.00. Add in the cost of your Internet Security Suite, both
initial cost and annual subscription, your spyware/adware subscription
and the time it takes you to learn it all...what have you got into it?
Too much.
Here is a popular website that actually lists the things you have to do
to secure an XP computer. Now I have nothing but respect for this
person. She is not only brilliant, she is very helpful. However, if you
start calculating the time it takes to do all the things she says to
do...you are looking at anywhere from 2-5 hours a week just in
protecting your computer...that does not factor in the monetary cost of
what she recommends. That is sad.
http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=8854 Better News Yet
There is absolutely no reason for you to take this abuse. For years, an
operating system called Linux has been free or nearly free for the
taking. The Linux today is nothing like the Linux of say 3 years ago.
It is drop-dead easy, pretty to look at and filled with choices Windows
cannot dream of giving you. Now here is the rub. You actually have to
take the time to learn it. I know...that is a real problem for an
entire generation of AOL and Microsoft users. I'm not being
condescending or sarcastic...I am being truthful with you and if you
think about it, you will agree. Between these two companies, you have
been severely dumbed-down. OK, here's a little test. Without using the
preset configuration tools, either:
If you are a broadband user, manually set up your dhcp settings or,
If you are a dial-up user, manually turn off your modem squealer (the
obnoxious sound it makes when it is dialing up the connection.)
If you can do these things, then you are not near as bad off as most
people. If you cannot, then...well I rest my case. So your question to
me is: "Why are these settings included to use if I am being chastised
for using them?" You are not being chastised or criticized at all.
Someday your computer will crash or fail and you will need to get your
hands a bit dirty to fix it. Knowing how to get into the configuration
settings and fix it will save you about 200 bucks. You will either have
someone like my friend Steve come over and fix it for you or you will
have to take it to a shop and have it fixed. The solution here is
simple...it would take you less than 30 minutes to fix most common
problems if you knew how. So you have buckets of money to burn? What is
your time worth?
Linux is not just one operating system like
Windows. You have at least 200 to choose from. They are all the same in
principle, they are just packaged and presented differently. Yes, that
seems like a lot and it is, but Linux is all about choice. I am going
to help you with making a decision here if you like. Of all the Linux
"flavors" I have ever used, PCLinuxOS is not only the best, it is the
easiest. The programmers that wrote PCLinuxOS set out to make their
distribution the easiest one available to the new user. Here is the
beautiful part. The people that are involved in the creation of Linux
have developed the "Live CD." You do not have to install it to your
hard drive if you don't want to. Set your bios to boot from the cd,
insert the disk and reboot. When your computer comes back up, you will
hit enter a couple of times, type in a pre-given password and username
and bingo! You are running Linux.
Think I have
over-simplified it? No, in fact it is just that easy. PCLinuxOS is used
by every computer in my personal company, MobileMaster of Austin and by
entire staff of my website, www.Lobby4Linux.com. Once you decide you
want to install it, it takes about 7 clicks and 20 minutes and you have
a fully-functional Linux system as your operating system.
Now, no computer or operating system is bullet-proof. There are ways to
compromise a Linux system, but believe me, it takes a computer genius
to do it. It is entirely too much work for even the most determined
hacker. In fact, the last Linux virus in the wild was reported in 1995.
Linux is extremely hard to compromise. With Windows, all it takes is
some kid that can download a script from a website and in 5 minutes,
he's in your computer. This does not even take into consideration the
amount of times you must reboot, either due to a software installation
or a crash. Windows XP can only run a few days at best before it must
be rebooted. I have a PCLinuxOS computer in my office that is over 170
days without reboot and it has been heavily modified. Talk about stable.
In the spirit of fairness and full disclosure, one point does have to
be made. There is some absolutely stunning software written for
Windows...software that has no equal in Linux...yet. If you are a
computer user that must use windows because of a dependance on a
particular piece of software, my advice to you above is valid. Lock it
down. Ms. Komando is truly a good friend to any Windows user. And don't
dispair...Linux developers world wide are working on the the very few
software apps we need. Hang on, they're coming.
Again, I want
to make it clear to you. I do not dislike Microsoft, Bill Gates or
anyone who works for or represents Microsoft. Truth be known, my sister
is married to a mid-level manager at Microsoft and we are good
friends...even fishing buddies.. I am simply warning you that it is
only a matter of time before your Windows computer is hacked, and if it
is...it's your fault. Do yourself a favor and at least look at the
options Linux gives you. Hey, I am a computer idiot and I was fully
functional with a Linux computer in less than 3 days. Did I mention
that most all the software you normally pay for in Windows is free with
Linux? Yeah...most of it is free. There are optional add-ons you can
purchase like Crossover Office or Win4Lin, but most people never spend
a dime on software for Linux The office suite alone, OpenOffice, will
save you hundreds of dollars and it is every bit as functional as
Microsoft Office.
Go to
www.lobby4linux.com and click on the blue penguin at the bottom of the page and it will take you to a download link. Or if you prefer, go to
www.PCLinuxonline.com
and click the download button on the left side. I will personally help
you with any questions you have. Email me at helios@lobby4linux.com and
I will get you started and answer your questions. Free, personalized
service at your fingertips...what more could you ask for?
Now go do the smart thing.
"helios" is aka Ken Starks of Austin Texas. Ken and his wife Debbie own
a mobile pressure washing company, MobileMaster of Austin. When he is
not 90 feet in the air pressure washing buildings, he is active in the
PCLinuxOS community. His website, www.lobby4linux.com is working hard
to improve the Linux Operating System and spread the word of Linux to
anyone who is interested. Those who are interested in contacting him
may do so at helios@lobby4linux.com or lobby4linux@gmail.com
Article provided by:
Ken Starks
helios17@gmail.com
