Hello, just after a little bit of advice on security, Linux and Windows.
I read a fair bit about security threats on forums in relation to PC security and web develpoment of CMS and CARTS. One interesting issue I came across on the Magento forums was regards to several Magento store’s being hacked. The means of attack was via a scanner/virus on the local machine, obtaining the FTP login details for the server the store is hosted on and the hackers when to play. (no mention of which OS the developers use)
At the moment my system runs Vista but I am in the process of changing because of the poor performance atm. I am playing with Linux atm because I am tired of Microsoft’s bloated systems. But I am concerned with the Linux community response that you don’t need an anti virus for Linux (Ubuntu & Fedora forums).
So I ask here, R.E. a system to develop and upload MODX, Prestashop, WordPress and Zencart:
Would I be better using a new Windows 7 system, with the full AVG protection suite. Or Linux with the majority of its community suggesting that I need not worry about anti virus.
ATM I have played with Ubuntu 10.10, and 10.04LTS, OpenSuse and Fedora. If I choose to go with Linux at all it will be Ubuntu10.04LTS as its has been the fast OS, most stable OS and easiest to use OS i have tested.
All comments from experienced modxers is appreciated on this.
Thanks
M
p.s. Apple is not an option due to the cost, in other forums some have suggested i use Apple, but i cant afford a new box. I already have the hardware, just looking to find new software (win7 or ubuntu)
I’ve used both Linux and Windows, and I like Mint (a slick and popular Ubuntu variant) a lot. The choice really comes down to your individual situation. In my case, switching to Linux full-time on my primary system just isn’t a realistic option, no matter how much I might want to do it, because of software incompatibility. I depend, for example on Corel Graphics suite, which runs horribly or not at all under WINE. Additionally, as a developer I must have quick access to all major browsers, and Windows is something they all have in common. With Linux you’re stuck running Windows in a virtual machine for this task, which wastes system resources. (I’ve often wondered how Mac users live with this, but they don’t seem to mind.)
Nonetheless, when I was on Vista, I occasionally improved the time while it was locking up and being rebooted by dreaming of a switch to Linux. Fewer crashes, fewer security concerns, the power of the command line, and yes, no AV needed according to prevailing wisdom.
Now that I’m on Windows 7, however, these dreams have faded. Even Ubuntu king Mark Shuttleworth admitted that 7 is an excellent OS, worthy of competition with his brainchild.
In the final analysis, I would have to recommend Windows, coupled with AV, updates, and common sense.
Jason
