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Time to draw the net curtains on Windows?

There's a new threat on the internet and it comes in the form of a cunning and ruthless worm called Conficker that is wreaking havoc on computer systems all around the globe.

This worm is a bit like an STD, the worst thing you can do is believe "I'll never get infected" and carry on using your Windows-based computer as if the problem didn't exist.

This nasty little worm has already unleashed its fury on the Ministry of Health's computers over the holiday break and appears to be infecting computers at a rate that now exceeds a million machines a day, and rising.

Yet, while most of the world cowers in fear of this evil bit of malware, there are two small groups of internet users who are just smiling smugly, confident and safe in the knowledge that their machines won't get hit.

Who are these people and how do you get an invitation to join their exclusive worm-free club?

Well they're the people who don't use Microsoft Windows.

Some have Apple computers and others have PCs but use Linux or other open-source software (OSS) instead of Microsoft Windows.

While Windows-users are forced to load up their machines with anti-virus software, these other folks can surf with almost total immunity to the growing number of net-nasties that are spreading like wildfire and threatening to steal credit-card details, banking passwords and other bits of sensitive data.

Instead, they can browse serenely, not having to worry whether the next website they visit might deliver an evil payload to their hard-disk that could wipe out all those priceless digital photos and valuable documents.

In fact, you really have to stop and wonder why people are still using Microsoft Windows on any computer that connect to the internet.

Microsoft regularly issues security fixes and patches designed to seal up gaping holes in its software and although this helps protect users, the hackers are always a step-ahead. What's more, if you miss just one of those updates, you might as well hang a great big "hack me" sign on your computer because as soon as you connect such a PC to the Net it becomes vulnerable to attack.

So why do people keep using Windows?

Well it's partly inertia and partly because there are still many bits of software that will only run on Microsoft's operating system. There's no point in having an ultra-safe computer if your favourite games and programs won't work on it, is there?

Windows is a fine operating system that makes it easy to use your PC - but it's the sheer popularity of the product that invites so much unwanted intention from those hell-bent on stealing your money or data.

But here's a thought...

Chances are you have more than one computer. What happened to the old PC you used before upgrading to something faster and more powerful? Is it sitting in the back of the wardrobe gathering dust?

I strongly suggest that people start hauling out those old PCs and installing an OSS operating system such as Linux, along with the FireFox browser.

This can become your "internet" PC and provide you with almost 100% safe online websurfing, email and all the other things you do while on the web. None of the worms that infest Windows-based PCs will be able to run on such a machine and your sensitive information will be much safer.

And here's something you might not realise. Even though that old PC will be less powerful than your new one and even though it probably has less memory and hard-drive space -- it'll probably run every bit as fast as your flash new one when decked out with Linux. That's because most of the Linux implementations are much "leaner and meaner" than Microsoft's bloated operating system.

Open source software like Linux is free. There's no cost associated with downloading or using it and some of the latest versions are every bit as easy as Windows to install.

The excellent Ubuntu Linux can be downloaded and burnt to a CD. You can then boot from that CD and perform a (usually) seamless install onto your old PC.

Once installed, you'll find a lot of similarities to the Windows operating system you're already used to and there'll also be a good collection of useful programs sitting on the desktop, all ready to run.

If you do get stuck there are plenty of very keen Linux enthusiasts out there who'll probably lend you a hand if needed.

It won't replace Windows for every-day computer use (yet) but Linux is rapidly becoming the best and safest option for any computer that connects to the Net.

Ubuntu Linux can be downloaded from Ubuntu.com

Regular readers will note that today's column is targeted at the non-technical PC user, for an obvious reason. If you think you know someone who ought not be using Windows to connect to the internet, send them the URL for today's column. http://aardvark.co.nz/daily/2009/0122.shtml.

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