Why do you people put up with this?

[Elwood P Dowd]

Sorry, borrowed this from the Mac Group.

I ask my friends (mostly repukes) why they put up with it, and they usually say, "Well, everybody else puts up with it".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=233x1508http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/02/04/notes020405.DTL&nl=fix

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/02/04/notes020405.DTL&nl=fix

My SO, she is not alone. This exact same scenario, with only slight variation, is happening throughout the nation, right now. Are you using a PC? You probably have spyware. The McAfee site claims a whopping 91 percent of PCs are infected. As every Windows user knows, PCs are ever waging a losing battle with a stunningly vicious array of malware and worms and viruses, all aimed at exploiting one of about ten thousand security flaws and holes in Microsoft Windows.

Here, then, is my big obvious question: Why the hell do people put up with this? Why is there not some massive revolt, some huge insurrection against Microsoft? Why is there not a huge contingent of furious users stomping up to Seattle with torches and scythes and crowbars, demanding the Windows Frankenstein monster be sacrificed at the altar of decent functionality and an elegant user interface?

There is nothing else like this phenomenon in the entire consumer culture. If anything else performed as horribly as Windows, and on such a global scale, consumers would scream bloody murder and demand their money back and there would be some sort of investigation, class-action litigation, a demand for Bill Gates' cute little geeky head on a platter.

<more>

[lazarus]

1. Great

We'll all switch to Mac. And then Macs will be the target of spyware and virus writers, and nothing will have changed.

[Tux]

4. Virus? Spyware?

I haven't had either since I switched to Linux awhile back. If Linux or any *nix OS gains in popularity, I doubt viruses and spyware would be a major concern. *nix users rarely run the PC as root (administrator for Windows folks) and if software does try to install, it needs the root password. Also each Linux distro is just different enough that one virus may work on Fedora but not Ubuntu.

As for people dealing with it, they don't know of alternatives, don't know Microsoft can't truely fix Windows, and blame malware writers for these problems. Buying software to protect software you want to run is silly and a waste of money and time.

[lazarus]

6. and as soon

as Linux becomes easy for the regular computer user to use, maybe people will start to switch.

Of course, you'll have to worry about software compatibility.

And I haven't had spyware or a virus since I've been on Windows, either. Because I practise smart surfing.

You can doubt it would be a major concern, but I can assure you that any OS is vulnerable; it's just a matter of return on investment.

Right now, a virus writer can hit a lot more computers if he targets Windows. Once it becomes worthwhile to target Mac, or Linux, or anything else, those will get hit.

[MisterP]

2. OS crusades go in the lounge, I think

[not systems]

3. Linux since 1995 and no problems...

MS is a pain at work but strict firewalling helps.

[tkmorris]

5. Macs don't suffer as many problems

precisely because so few actually use them. Spyware etc targets Windows because that's what everyone uses, not because Macs are inherently more secure.

I settled on Windows primarily due to software compatibility. My computer is a giant junk drawer of software and I don't want it any other way. Furthermore I can build a Windows machine out of spare parts, for next to nothing. Mac has always been so proprietary, and that does not appeal to me.

Linux? Yeah I'll be switching to that eventually but for now I find it simpler to stick to what I have.

Edited to add that keeping spyware, adware, and viruses off a Windows machine is fairly easy if you know how and make a minimum effort. I expect if Macs ever really get targetted in a broad sense most Mac users will throw them out of the window in frustration since computer security is not something they usually have to worry about.

[earth mom]

7. Thanks for the post! I LOVE MY MACKIE! :) eom

[President Jesus]

8. still on the fence? check this out....

Steve Jobs, Apple chairman and ceo
http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Steve_Jobs.php

Michael Dell, Dell chairman
http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Michael_Dell.php

Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman
http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Bill_Gates.php

Steve Ballmer, Microsoft ceo
http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Steve_Ballmer.php

Carly Fiorina, HP chairman, ceo
http://www.newsmeat.com/ceo_political_donations/Carly_Fiorina.php

[Elwood P Dowd]

14. Microsoft = Republican

At least they gave a few crumbs to our side. :-(

[kohodog]

18. Interesting that Gates and Ballmer gave to Dems prior to 94

Both switched after that. Was that when the lawsuit was filed? Must have been under Clinton, but I don't remember if it was a federal case.

[msgadget]

9. Some of us have a lot invested in software

and the switch would be about more than just switching hardware. When I checked in the past the lag time and lock-ups were off-putting.

[DemBones DemBones]

10. PC owners are ignoring the question: WHY do you put up with it?

The question is not why don't you get a Mac/ use Linux, but why don't you raise holy hell with Mr. Gates of Microsoft?

In the early nineties, I had a PC but used DOS so no problems, have now had two Macs (gave one to daughter); husband uses Macs at work so he thought he'd get a PC for home, for variety. The PC has just about driven him crazy -- way too many problems!

[Elwood P Dowd]

11. AMEN!

:)

[lazarus]

19. And do what?

Send a nasty email? You think Gates doesn't know?

For the minimal problems I have with Windows, the cost of switching to Macs is prohibitive.

[porkrind]

12. No windows vs mac discussions, please!

Take the mac trolling/flamewar to another forum.

[3lefts]

13. It's all about personal responsibility...

I have Win XP. Love this OS. Is extremely reliable and very easy to use.

Install a firewall (Zonealarm...it's free), Spybot (it's free), Adaware (it's free) and an anti-virus program that scans incoming emails, Norton is excellent (I am glad to pay the $25 a year), keep up with the Windows updates and I guarantee that you will never be infected with adware, spyware, viruses, etc...

Go to the Gibson Research page and run their "Shields Up" program to see if your machine is exposed to the Internet and if it is, take the appropriate action.

I pay 95% of my bills online and I have no fear of my identity being stolen. If people would only pay attention to very simple preventive maintenance procedures, 91% of the PC's would not be infected. If the 91% figure is accurate then have all those people contact me and for a very small fee I will fix their machines for good and retire where no one will ever find me. Serious...if you can log on to the Internet you should already know this.

[BrendaStarr]

15. Spyware Doctor helps keep new stuff away.

I have a big problem with a pre-existing condition.

The Doctor thought it had it, but it came back.

My IE homepage goes to secret-crush.com. The original program that did that was so malicious apparently, that the somewhat innocuous search page the forced me to use as IE homepage disappeared> Then in November a notice was put up that secret-crush.com was for sale and boy did someone buy it.

The new secret-crush page spawns page after page of ads, porn ads, and offers to sell me remedies for my problems with my computer.

I use Firefox now, but New York Times won't work with FF. I have an old Netscape browser I guess I will use, but when my kids use this they like to use AIM which likes IE and always offers the news to them in IE. The first IE page from AIM doesn't spawn the attack, but if they click on a link for an interesting news item they're soon shouting for me.

Like I said Spyware doctor thought it had it (and has done wonderful things with other programs pre-existing or not) and other programs I used reported it fixed, but when I restart the computer my homepage will be reset to secret-crush.com again.

I started deleting everything in my startup file for a while, but some new program (always a different name) reappears every time I restart the computer, and then secret-crush is back.

So some other, hidden, program is doing this. Does anyone how to finally get rid of secret-crush.

Please don't recommend Adaware, Adware Away, or even Spyware Doctor (as good as it is on everything else). Believe me they've had their chance on this.

[3lefts]

16. Brenda, have you tried "msconfig", as in...

Start, Run, type in msconfig and see what programs are loading at startup time. There are many programs that load, most are innocuous (quicktime, works, musicmatch, etc) that can be turned off at startup time that will save on memory usage and may fix your problem.

Also, run "regedit" and delete every occurence of secret-crush that you find. Do a system checkpoint before editing the registry, in case you don't know what you are doing.

[Jazzgirl]

23. I don't have trouble using Firefox on NYT's page.

n/t

[newyawker99]

17. Hi 3lefts!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Igel]

20. Why do people put up with it?

Because some of us have software that's only been implemented on PC or Mac, and the PC software is much nicer. Arcana, this.

On the other hand, I nixed some spyware recently. Apparently it was too well written: it checked and found there was an updated version, Windows XP promptly displayed a dialog box asking if I wanted to update the software.

[Stop_the_War]

21. Because Windows has a monopoly over almost all the computer companies....

Unfortunately, I use Windows. I'm thinking of switching to Mac.

[Jazzgirl]

22. I don't put up with it.

I have a PC and Windows and have anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-trojan software and keep it all updated. Also I have a router which acts as a firewall too. I check my email first with MailWasher and its been so long since my AV popped up and said "Virus!!" that I can't remember. Its like anything else, you have to learn how to take care of it. I think Microsoft could do better at making Windows more secure but since it is the most widely used OS on the market, its the biggest target. Lets face it, do you leave the security of your home in someone elses hands? Nope! You learn to lock your doors and windows and if you have it, set the alarm. People have to take some responsibility too.

[DireStrike]

25. Exactly.

It's not even that hard once you get used to it.

[DireStrike]

24. Why?

1) My PC is perfectly fine.
2) It's cheaper.

[LeftyMom]

26. I don't really have problems

Every now and again SpyBot catches something (months go by between incidents) but other than that I really don't have any issues. I've thought of getting a Mac simply because I appreciate good design and aesthetics but I'm not willing to pay so much more for proprietary hardware and then deal with limited software options and limited game availibility (I don't care about the games but LeftyDad does.)

I'm a much happier Windows user since I switched to Firefox, though. IE isn't quite the root of all computer evil but some days it seemed like it.

[tralfaz]

27. Thank you to all of the

people who use Windows and all of the spyware that comes with it. It helps me pay the bills.

Once again Thanks,

A computer Technician

[kizzdogg85]

28. ....

If you hate it so much, then stop using it. It's pretty simple. There are other options out there.

[AuntiBush]

29. I LUV MAC's, but

can't always afford one. And most colleges and corp's own PC's. Yet, I've owned a Mac since they first came out, eons ago. Just can't afford to update the old one I have now.

Now, what's this about spyware... utto.

[lazarus]

30. Why do you people put up with this?

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5565997.html

Novell's SuSE has released a number of "highly critical" patches, according to a report released Monday.

The patches are designed to address vulnerabilities that can be exploited for cross-site scripting attacks, remote system access, exposure of sensitive information, spoofing and denial-of-service attacks, according to the report from security information provider Secunia.

The vulnerabilities were found in SuSE' eMail Server 3.x, Linux Database Server, Linux Enterprise Server 9 and Linux Office Server.

One issue that particularly concerns Secunia is SuSE's method of sending out weekly scheduled patches.

http://secunia.com