Fighting The MyDoom Virus

Even if such a brash scheme could win over the minds of administrators, it isn't likely to win over the wallets of most executives. Besides, such a plan is unlikely to have any lasting effects. Attending to a small number of platforms is costly enough for most organizations; attempting to diversify and manage an array of dissimilar systems surely would be cost-prohibitive.

Enterprises typically try to reduce costs, not raise them. As the installed base of "other" systems increases--and, therefore, the installed base of Microsoft platforms decreases--an equal share of virus development for other platforms undoubtedly will follow.

After all, Microsoft is such an obvious target for virus and worm developers because of the enormous base of Windows users. Sun would become just as big a target if Solaris occupied the same footprint.

Now imagine, if you will, 15 different platforms all attacked by different worms. It paints a dimmer picture of heterogeneity, if you ask me. No, deploying a multitude of platforms is not the answer. Developing an effective way to patch systems and respond to known threats is.

must reads» Network Computing Security Threat Watch
» US-CERT Doom Alert
» Models of virus propogation

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