RE: [Full-Disclosure] Microsoft prepares security assault on Linux

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

Forwarded from: "Russ" <Russ.Cooper () rc on ca>
To: <jasonc () science org>, <support () mmicman com>
Cc: "Helmut Hauser" <helmut.hauser () intraplan de>,
   <full-disclosure () lists netsys com>, <bugtraq () securityfocus com>,
   <isn () attrition org>

Jason said;

> I wrote an information security book last year under contract with
> Microsoft Press. The book was never published -- among other things
> it explains truthfully the poor security condition of Windows and
> offers detailed instructions and advice for defending against
> Microsoft's bad business practices and incorrect security decisions.

Because maybe a book isn't needed to describe what I describe in 3
pages, 10 points, keystroke by keystroke, button click by button
click, documentation. Assuming the requisite files are on hand, it
takes less than an hour to "harden" an IIS box against all of this
years attacks, and the document was written 2 years ago.

Fine, my 3 pages doesn't help "to educate developers of Web
applications so that fewer new vulnerabilities would have been
created.", but at least mine got published to our customers...;-]

> Microsoft suppresses awareness of vulnerabilities in order to
> profit.

Funny how they've always encouraged me with NTBugtraq, that would seem
to be at odds with your perception of their position. Funny how I once
tried to convince them to bury a vulnerability patch in a service pack
rather than release a security bulletin, and there was no way they
would have it.

The old adage, "You catch more flies with honey" seems to often be the
opinion of publishers, one reason I've never written a book (no
publisher wants to publish a book written the way I write...;-]) Since
they're putting the money up, I have to assume they have good stats on
the demographics of who will buy it and what the buyer expects. Its
their audience, write it for yourself, publish it yourself (as you've
done.) That they thought it wasn't going to be profitable (from a
publishing perspective) doesn't necessarily mean Microsoft is trying
to "suppress awareness of vulnerabilities", it could just mean they
didn't think it would sell.

Cheers,
Russ - Surgeon General of TruSecure Corporation/NTBugtraq Editor



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