Why Can't Microsoft Just Patch Everything? 640
paneraboy writes "If smaller software companies can patch all of their bugs serious or minor, ZDNet's George Ou asks, why can't Microsoft -- with its massive army of programmers and massive budget -- patch all of its vulnerabilities? Had Microsoft fixed a low risk browser vulnerability six months ago, perhaps we could have avoided last week's zero-day exploit. Currently, more than two dozen Windows XP issues remain unpatched. Ou thinks Microsoft ought to fix them all." From the article: "Almost 4 years after the launch of Trustworthy Computing, I found myself wondering why am I staying up till 4:00 AM to deliver an emergency set of instructions (Home and Enterprise) to my readers because Microsoft felt it unnecessary to patch a flaw six months ago that was originally low risk but mutated in to something extremely dangerous."
Well ... (Score:3, Funny)
Doesn't he know? (Score:5, Funny)
Every time Microsoft patches its software, hackers use their patches to discover security holes and to issue exploits!
But when they don't patch their software, no bad guys notice these vulnerabilities. In fact, no virus or worm has *ever* exploited a vulnerability before a critical update was released!
Duh.
Eureka! (Score:2, Funny)
Obligatory tinfoil hat (Score:5, Funny)
"What's the status of our new software?"
"Ready for launch Mr Carver, and - as requested - it's full of bugs, so people will be forced to upgrade for years."
"Delicious."
/not serious... no, seriously.
Becaue they're too busy.... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Good ole' 2002 (Score:2, Funny)
zero-day (Score:2, Funny)
Maybe it should be named zero-year exploit.
Michael, Row the OS Ashore (Score:5, Funny)
Though I must admit, it gives new meaning to "software piracy". Ahrrrrrrrr.
Re:I ask the same question (Score:5, Funny)
But their bugs are free.
Re:Seems like some people don't understand coding (Score:5, Funny)
1. Base it on tried and tested code. Maybe supply the source code for the world's programming talent to see if there is anything wrong with it. Also encourage help with new projects.
2. Give it a snappy name - words ending in an "x" always sound cool.
3. Oh - and it would need a logo - maybe from the animal kingdom?
4.
5. Profit! (Oh - wait...)
Patches don't generate revenue (Score:2, Funny)
On a related note, don't you just love the dinosaur ads MS is now using. "Still using Office 2000?!? What a relic you are! You ever heard of the dinosaurs? Well that's you if you don't upgrade RIGHT NOW! Also, the 'Good Enough'(tm) guarantee expires the day the new version comes out."
Re:Seems like some people don't understand coding (Score:5, Funny)
that OP question is a dumb as "why can't the US kill all the terrorists? with their large army and all their technology?". We'll put in the same bin as "why can't you marry britney spears" and "why can't you quit your job and become a scuba diver"
and lose the weekly free advertising? (Score:3, Funny)
also, the constant need for patches allow them to feel they are still relevent.
Re:Michael, Row the OS Ashore (Score:3, Funny)
Stewart: "[Bill] Clinton also became speaker number 683 to mention Kerry's naval service:"
Clinton: "Since we're all in the same boat, we should choose a captain of our ship who is a brave, good man, who knows how to steer a vessel through troubled waters, to the calm seas and clear skies of our more perfect union."
Stewart: "Saying 'ahoy' to prosperity. Ending our economic scurvy... with the oranges of fiscal responsibility. Kerry's the right man to lead (pirate-like 'arr') country."
Re:Maybe still denying the root problem (Score:3, Funny)
ActiveX is one HELL of a typo.