I was desperately trying to escape the clutches of yet another Microsoft vulnerability announcement when a funny marketing campaign came to mind:

Because I want to spend time with my family…Linux

or how about this one

Because I want to make it to the game/dinner/appointment on time…Linux

The problem is that I was recently reviewing firewall rules and wondering why the network folks were opening up ports 1025-5000 for all the “secure” windows server segments. Apparently the fat Microsoft administration tools (running on various desktops around a company) like to have all the RPC ports open to them. Coincidentally, the latest remote exploit comes in through…you guessed it, ports 1025-5000.

Ok, you have to run DNS on the Windows systems to be exploited, but try explaining the options to a Microsoft windows administrator. They don’t seem to understand why the number of ports is excessive, or why you can’t call a segment secure if you have to leave it wide open. My favorite comment so far has been “but the perimeter protects us”, second only to “if we install an old unpatched version of Microsoft’s DNS do you think it will mean we won’t be vulnerable to this exploit?” Ha. I almost choked on my tea when I heard that one.

Because I want to maintain my sanity…Linux

If I could put together a flashy photograph/visual, I think it would show the back of a group of people at a wedding looking towards a bride and religious official, with someone conspicuously absent. At the bottom of the image would be a phrase something like

Keep your priorities straight…Linux

Then again, I’m probably not in marketing for a reason. :)