Computer Musings.

While I know little about computers, I have however for the last two years been using both Windows-based and Apple computers almost in equal measure. While both machines have their advocates and advantages I thought I would add one humble woman’s view to the debate. As indicated I’m not expert, but at least I have had the advantage of using the rival platforms in equal measure for an extended period.

The pro and cons of the two systems I intend to write about at a later date. Here I simply wish to discuss the issue of viruses and trojans. What brought this on was very recently my Windows 7 machine became infected by a virus that literally took control of my computer effectively locking it until a sum of money was paid. My anti virus software McAfee, neither detected it nor was it able to identify it on a full scan in the aftermath after I’d managed to disable it. From the web I’ve learned many other of the big name anti-virus programs are equally inept (although most are capable of ‘unlocking’ your machine for an additional fee).

In the aftermath of what was a very scary few hours I began to wonder why Windows machines are so susceptible to viruses. Before I add my two-penn’orth to the hoary debate and the myths surrounding Apple vs Windows on the question of viruses. I would like to make one observation and pose two questions. If you are a computer expert I hope you will excuse my naivety.

In the two years I’ve used Windows 7 barely a week goes by without a viruses or Trojan alert. Some eighty per cent of which are stopped by my anti-virus software. My Apple as far as I know has never been infected.

In the aftermath of my recent problem I would like to pose two questions regarding Windows.

Why design an operating system that allows your firewall to be switched off without your knowledge? Ok so there are some computer geeks out there who have eminently plausible reasons for why they would like to cavort sans-knickers occasionally. In that case my question is why can’t the firewall be made such that it can only be switched off after the input of my administrator’s or other password?

A similar question applies to the CTRL-ALT-DELETE combinations of keys which brings up the Task Manager which ostensibly allows you to stop any program running.

The reality is both with access to the registry are disabled with ease. Would you buy a car whereby any passer-by could in seconds could disable your brakes? Oddly as consumers it seems we have been lured into accepting a whole raft of irritating and sub-standard conditions when it comes to computers that we would never accept from any other consumer product.

Imagine driving down the motorway and your car ‘blue screening?’ Ah but you might say computers are so much more complex. To which my answer is do they need to be? Each version of Windows comes with zillions of new features that 99% of us will never need, never use or even discover. They are little more than a gadget geek’s wet dream. This policy of mindless and unnecessary complexity of course came to it’s zenith with that awful piece of ‘bloatware’ known as Vista.

As to the myths that surround Apple vs Windows on the question of viruses, the first clearly is that Apple computers never get viruses. But the fact remains they get very few and most sensible Apple users never get any. However as any user of Windows will attest, it can be hard not to pick up a computer virus sometimes, especially when using the Internet.

The much quoted reasons (or myths) for this are follows.

Windows has a much bigger User Base
It is said the main reason that Microsoft Windows users pick up a lot of viruses while Apple users pick up very little or none is that Windows has a vastly higher user base. This means that there are simply more Windows computers available than there are Apple computers. This makes Windows users an easier target due to their superior numbers.

Naively perhaps I find this very difficult to swallow. Certainly there are far more Windows based machines about. But having said that Apple have still sold millions of computers. Furthermore the proportion of Apple to Windows users changes rapidly as you move towards more sophisticated ‘high value’ individuals and corporations who increasingly prefer Apple machines. Surely a lot more attractive target for virus makers you would have thought than some child doing their homework in Mumbai?

The number of Apple viruses out there can probably be counted in their tens or at most hundreds and yet Windows viruses must number millions. A statistic that in no way reflects the user base.

Perhaps this might give you cause for thought? I recall reading in The Financial Times last year Google has begun telling new employees that they are no longer able to request Windows PCs, giving them the choice of Mac or Linux systems. Google has long offered its employees their choice of work operating system but will no longer do so after being hacked.

Perhaps a major reason why Apple computers pick up very few viruses is their stability. Mac OS X, which is the operating system that has run on most Apple computers for the last few years, was programmed using what is referred to as a "Unix Kernel." which despite its age, is still one of the most secure operating systems ever created.

Certainly another final reason why Apple computers pick up very few viruses is simply because most of the tools someone would use to create a computer virus are designed to be used with the Microsoft Windows operating system. This doesn't stop at viruses--most of the tools used to create malware and spyware (which are other types of malicious software) are also intended to be used with Microsoft Windows.

However I suspect the real answer lies elsewhere. I recall being told once that when Windows was first designed it was analogous to a house being built with no back door. The idea being that Windows or whoever, could access your computer to gain valuable marketing information that could be subsequently sold on. Why else have cookies? It time computer geeks discovered the back door was open and it is said the early hackers were simply harmless people letting people know using silly pop-ups that their computer as not as secure as they thought it was.

In time malicious people found the door open, but rather than shut it Microsoft it is alleged simply kept patching up the leaking ship in an attempt to ensure only they had access. Hence the veritable shoals of ‘up-dates’ you get with Windows.

Apple on the other hand it is claimed designed it’s computer with the primacy of the customer in mind. My Apple frequently asks me for permission to run programs whereas in Windows they often run of their own freewill.

Just why in Windows would one make security features such as firewalls and task manager so easy to disable? In the hope of getting some feedback on this issue I have enabled comments from people other than registered Bloggers.

Coming soon how to re-enable Task Manager in Windows –once a virus has disabled it.