The biggest cause of Internet security problems- stupidity

Posted by Vic Laurie
February 21, 2006

PC Magazine has a feature article by Cade Metz called “The Sorry State of Security” with the theme that stupidity is the real security problem. First, they cite the user

No matter how many times we suffer the consequences of online attacks—system slowdowns, instability, loss of connectivity, even costly identity theft—we always get burned again. Expert advice, warnings, and even new security programs ultimately do no good. After more than ten years of this recurring nightmare, we’ve come to the conclusion that there’s only one possible explanation: Stupidity.

Whose stupidity? Yours, for a start. That’s right: You. Joe Computer User. A decade of working and playing on the Internet and you still surf without proper protection.

The article then goes on to point at software companies and others in the industry

But the end user is only part of the problem. Though many have worked to improve the situation, the world’s hardware and software vendors bear just as much of the blame. After all, users wouldn’t have to worry about security software if PC manufacturers and ISPs made it an integral part of every machine. And malware wouldn’t be nearly as prevalent—or as destructive—if developers weren’t so cavalier about the gaping security holes weakening their operating systems and applications.

I congratulate PC Magazine for having the professional courage to publish this article. It isn’t flattering to anybody. Although thoughtful observers have long been aware of the truths expressed, it still took courage for a major publication to state the blunt facts. They risk offending some of their major advertisers and the politically correct crowd is always ready to howl about intellectual elitism whenever anybody suggests that a lot of “the people” are stupid.

Internet topics, Security

Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.

Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.