Linux not accountable for security, Ballmer says
The rivalry between Microsoft Windows and Linux comes down to the basic question of whom customers should trust, according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Ballmer on Tuesday acknowledged Microsoft turned its focus to matters such as patch management "probably later than we should have," but claimed that Microsoft has made dramatic strides in its Trustworthy Computing efforts, while users can question the quality of Linux security patches.
Ballmer made his comments during an executive interview before about 3,000 IT managers at the Gartner Symposium ITxpo.
What sets Windows apart from Linux in terms of development, security and patching, Ballmer said, is that Microsoft has an infrastructure that takes responsibility for Windows. "There's no roadmap for Linux. Nobody is held accountable for security problems with Linux."
