New virus infects PCs, whacks SCO

I just noticed strong similarities between your claim and other claims that blame manufacturers for the crimes commited by their clients, and was wondering if you didn't see the same similarities.

In fact, NO. That's a strawman and a non sequitur all rolled up together.

My point about this virus, as with most virii, is that they feed off the vulnerabilities of a POPULAR O/S: Windoze.

Get over yourself. I don't "blame" this on Microsoft, (like you BLAMED this on Linux advocates.)

If you insist on the analogy, then do it correctly.

When a gun is used to intentionally kill someone, it is not defective, and there should be no liability for the manufacturer. But, when a shoddy gun explodes because of a material defect in the hands of a user at a gun range, then the manufacturer should be liable.

If a hacker uses a Microsoft server to launch attacks on SCO, then there should be no liability for Microsoft. But when Microsoft knowingly ships defective software to innocent folks that can be "exploded" remotely in the face of the user, then maybe they do deserve some liabilty.

If it turns out that all Kwikset Deadbolt locks had a secret skeleton key that opens them all, and burglars found out about it, shouldn't Kwikset be responsible at a minimum, for replacing those vulnerable locks?

Defective guns don't involve a crime willfully being committed against an unsuspecting victim.

Microsoft can face civil penalties, customer outrage, and class action torts for the safety and function of their product, but in most every case of hacker attacks they are very obviously a victim, an incredibly simple exonerating fact you seem to have overlooked in your haste to criticize them.

they are very obviously a victim, an incredibly simple exonerating fact you seem to have overlooked in your haste to criticize them.

WHO is very obviously a victim?

I am not in a hurry to do anything but attribute the slowdown in net-traffic due to MyDoom worm between the criminals (the hackers) and their preferred platform (Windows machines.)

I am NOT indicting Microsoft like YOU are indicting Linux afficionados.

If Microsoft is a victim, then it is of their own making.

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