RE: How Secure is Windows, Really?

If someone wrote a malicious program and somehow the program was uploaded and 
executed on the System i, that means the System i could indeed get a virus.  
It's just that no one has written one yet nor is it easy to bring it to the 
system.  Here's someone's chance to create history.  It's only been available 
for 18 years, what's the holdup?  ;)

Agreed it can't happen the same way it happens in Windows, but assuming it's 
automatically immune is being a bit naïve, IMHO.  Immunity from obscurity - 
that's what Apple thought, then they got a bit more popular.  And now there's 
more Mac viruses.

--
Justin C. Haase - Solution Engineer
IBM Certified Systems Expert - System i
Kingland Systems Corporation

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
On Behalf Of Joe Pluta
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 3:50 PM
To: 'Midrange Systems Technical Discussion'
Subject: RE: How Secure is Windows, Really?

From: QSCANFSCTL

Joe nobody is putting words in your mouth.

Also, I never said anyone was stupid.  The only time I used the word 
was to say that I was NOT stupid enough to install a program that 
did a DLTLIB QSYS.  So stop putting words in my mouth... it's the 
last bastion of the weak argument.

'Trying to sell iSeries AV
software based on the fact that an infected PC is causing network 
problems is either deceitful or stupid.  As is comparing the iSeries 
to Typhoid Mary.'

Those are your words, not mine, just go back and read your own posts.

You're right, I did say that, but in a different context than you attempted to 
spin.  I still stand by my statement above.  Selling AV software on the iSeries 
because of a PC infection is deceitful or stupid.  I'm not calling iSeries 
users deceitful or stupid, as you implied.  I am calling the person trying to 
sell the software deceitful or stupid.  Do you understand the difference?

The Typhoid Mary comparison started at IBM. IBM has used them at 
COMMON presentations. Ask Tom McBride, or Pat Botz or Ian Jarmin who 
have all used the comparison to Typhoid Mary. Its perfectly legit and 
not stupid. As for viruses causing network problems, that came from 
LUG members and customers who have actually had problems.

I don't care who started it.  It's FUD, especially the way you use it.  The 
iSeries is no more a Typhoid Mary than a CD, and you don't put AV software on 
the CD, you put it on the operating system that uses the CD.  The iSeries is 
simply another storage device for the PC.

And asking me to disclose who vendors (which now happen to be 
customers-) or 'else drop the subject like the FUD it is' -- would be 
unethical and irresponsible. Not to mention I have non-disclosure 
agreements that legally prevent me from doing so.

Actually, the unethical and irresponsible part was bringing it up.  If you 
can't back it up, then don't bring it up.  Otherwise, it's just FUD.

But let's allow for the chance that what you say is true.  Then you don't know 
of anyone actively spreading viruses, because they're now customers!
Of course you would then use this to imply that other vendors, of whom you have 
no personal knowledge, are shipping viruses.  In my book, that's pretty much 
the opposite of ethical.

Apple Computer didn't mean to ship infected iPods, yet it happened. 
And of course the iSeries isn't an iPod but my point is it happens to 
the best of companies. There is no FUD there -- why is that so hard to 
understand?

There are no iSeries viruses.  So the only viruses that can be on the IFS are 
ones that infect other platforms (as the IBM folks have all been quoted as 
saying: the IFS can be a virus REPOSITORY, but the iSeries cannot get a virus). 
 iSeries AV software will certainly scan the IFS.  But unless those other 
platforms solely use the IFS as their storage, then iSeries AV software will 
not immunize them, and you need other AV software anyway.  

Simple stuff, really.

And by all means, everyone should get some good AV software:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/software/antivirus-software/

Joe


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