Open secrets

To paraphrase Henry II who will rid me of this turbulent argument?"

The security ratings of Microsoft and Linux are a favourite debating point between advocates of the two systems. Why is this?

Well initially it was a useful stick for the open source to beat Microsoft. When you've going up against a behemoth like Microsoft you use everything you've got and it proved quite an effective tactic for a while.

But by continually harping on about it Linux risks being pigeon-holed and the real benefits of its approach will be masked. Any operating system can be secure with the right procedure – it’s the rest of the package that needs examination.