Linux virus ??

[Alma J Wetzker]

David Bandel wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 12:27:29 -0800, Bill Campbell
> <linux-sxs at celestial.com> wrote:
> 
>>On Wed, Nov 10, 2004, Raymond Russell wrote:
>>
>>>On Nov 8, 2004, at 12:38 PM, David Bandel wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Folks,
>>>>
>>>>Just heard from a friend of mine that a Linux "virus" is out (note: I
>>>>have not checked the veracity of this report).
>>
>>There was an article today in InfoWorld about another image library
>>vulnerability:
>>
>>        http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/12/08/morelinuxbugs_1.html
> 
> 
> Looks like a 'make the M$ morons not feel alone' exploit article.
> 
> What I want to know is how my non-privileged user (david) could cause
> a SYSTEM COMPROMISE by viewing a "specially crafted image"?  Or for
> that fact, by running any code when I DON'T HAVE SYSTEM PRIVILEGES! 
> When I do work in my system, it's in a cli where I wouldn't be viewing
> any images.
> 
> Is everyone in M$ land as dumb as this idiot?
> 
> Ciao,
> 
> David A. Bandel

The short answer is a qualified 'yes'.  Think of a computer as a car.  There 
are *many* drivers who do not understand the basics of how the fool thing 
runs.  There are not quite so many who will neglect basic maintenance until 
the thing stops working.  The mechanics will cuss a blue streak about the 
idiot car owners, but they are a very small minority.

We are the mechanics of the computer highway.  It is great that you don't need 
years of experience to use a computer.  It sucks that there are so many idiots 
who have one.  It is great that I can use something other that Micro$chlock to 
get my work done.  We get the good with the bad, I guess.

     -- Alma