Windows Security Debate

This cluster discusses Windows OS security vulnerabilities, its historical issues with exploits and botnets, Microsoft's patching practices, and comparisons to alternatives like Linux.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Security
5,480
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#782
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
11
2008
49
2009
106
2010
158
2011
198
2012
222
2013
212
2014
258
2015
316
2016
324
2017
572
2018
232
2019
267
2020
316
2021
401
2022
320
2023
442
2024
680
2025
366
2026
30

Keywords

MS MicroSoft JS index.htm NTLM foxglovesecurity.com UX computerworlduk.com ASLR XP windows microsoft security xp vulnerabilities windows xp exploits linux attack surface attack

Sample Comments

porker Jul 9, 2019 View on HN

Why isn't the Windows client vulnerable? What have they/Microsoft done differently?

ryanlol Jun 20, 2017 View on HN

Why? Windows 7 has vulnerabilities too.

y42 Jul 22, 2025 View on HN

the problem is not Windows' (alleged) insecurity, it's it popularity. if everyone would use red hat, the same thing would happen.

branden Aug 27, 2009 View on HN

You're misreading the sentence.""7. Threatening user security: Windows has a long history of security vulnerabilities, enabling the spread of viruses and allowing remote users to take over people's computers for use in spam-sending botnets."It states that the "long history of security vulnerabilities" enables and allows exploits, which is true. The obvious inference is that Microsoft has allowed that long history to persist, thus enabling the exploits. This is an accusation of incom

Bancakes Apr 15, 2022 View on HN

"Just don't use windows" is not a solution. Ameliorated works, whether you believe in security whataboutism or not.

ryao Mar 21, 2016 View on HN

The best way would be to stop using Windows. Windows is the only platform where you see backward things like:1. Antivirus software that gives a false sense of security being popular.2. The vendor refusing to fix vulnerabilities that give attackers complete control because of backward compatibility concerns:http://foxglovesecurity.com/2016/01/16/hot

Iv Oct 12, 2011 View on HN

Does anyone else think this is a windows infection, and that this OS should be banned in sensitive areas ?

aww_dang Jul 19, 2021 View on HN

Will someone accuse Microsoft of publishing vulnerable software?

throwawaykf05 Jan 16, 2015 View on HN

What security fixes has Microsoft put off forever?

peter303 Jun 2, 2021 View on HN

They use MicroSoft OSes. That means they buy huge vunerabilities.