Now it’s Personal

Those that know me know I’m one of those GNU/Linux geeks, but not one who tries to push his own choice of OS on everyone else. Live and let live, I say.

Well, today I got flooded with bounced mail and virus-bearing mail as a result of the latest virus which exploits weaknesses in the MS Windows operating system. So did my wife.

Now, part of the blame for this falls on an insufficient internet mail architecture which was created in a more trusting age. But insecure operating systems, and the users who continue to buy them no matter how many times they are burned, are a big part of the problem. I’m sick and tired of putting up with the shit Windows PCs foist upon the world.

If you’re using a Windows PC that’s connected to the internet, you have a responsibility to the other users of the internet to keep your PC from becoming a menace:

1. First of all, educate yourself. Most mail worms require some user interaction before they can infect your computer. Don’t open an attachment unless you have confirmed with the sender that they sent it..
2. Stop using Microsoft mail software. Ditch Outlook Express. Download a better client such as Mozilla Thunderbird. As a bonus you’ll get high-quality spam filtering using bayesian analysis.
3. Switch to a a more secure operating system. You don’t have to become a UNIX nerd to do this. One option is to buy a Mac. Or you could try out one of the many easy to use, easy to install distributions of GNU/Linux that are aimed at the desktop user, such as Mandrake, Xandros, or Lindows.

But don’t just sit there and hope it won’t happen to you. It will happen to you. By using an insecure operating and software, you are passively contributing to the problem. Stop being part of the problem. Educate yourself, and take the necessary steps.