The truth about viruses

I am a strong proponent of Open Source. And, I tend to agree that there are more security holes than actual functionality in Microsoft's OSes, browsers, etc. This is a sad consequence of how these systems evolved.

But, how hard would it be to create some malicious software that would not only run in Linux, but will be granted permission by the user to install? All it would need to do is disguise its true intent while duping the user into thinking he or she has just downloaded the latest must-have app, like the latest and greatest P2P client. No vulnerability or hole needed. Just good old fashioned grifting and ignorance. Want to be even sneakier? Make it a plug-in for Firefox. That way, it could capture every damn keystroke you make online -- like access info to a bank account. Want to be really diabolical? Modify a linux distro with just a few secret tweaks here and there. Oops! Did they just violate GNU by not informing the community of these tiny little tweaks? For shame!

The truth is that if Linux was installed in 98% of the PCs in the world, rest assured, the bad guys would find a way to exploit Linux. Would it be harder? Yes. Very much so. Would it stop the ambitious criminal? Absolutely not.

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