Vista versus OS X versus Linux

[kleinma]

Didn't know if this was posted to CC, but pretty interesting if you have not seen this article.

Basically, its a hack-a-thon to see which system could be compromised first.

No machine could be hacked via remote attacks on the first day, but OS X was hacked on the second day when direct hacking attempts were allowed.

Vista stood strong until they allowed "common" 3rd party software, and a zero day exploit in Adobe Flash compromised it.

Unbuntu held up, but I it seems as though they stopped trying after OSX and Vista were hacked, so its hard to say how long (if at all) it would have taken for them to get in.

Even though Vista was compromised, its good to see it held up well, and it doesn't surprise me that it was Adobe responsible for the bad code (although MS obviously needs a patch as well to prevent it from happening at all).

Apple has no excuse though since they were hacked via their own browser.

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/...ty_showdo.html

[wild_bill]

So what kind of "security comprimise" do these hackers uncover? Is there a file, that is supposed to be secure, then the hackers attempt to get the contents of the file? Is the point to delete or corrupt a system file?

[kleinma]

I believe the point is to take control of the system without having access to it. Like if you were a standard user on a locked down system, and you were able to worm your way into a full administrator account and take full control.

That is what it sounds like to me, and that is how the majority of software exploits work.