Re:Windows is the malware compatibility layer for everything
by wongarsu on Wednesday July 12, 2023 @01:15PM
(#36698018)
> Yes, because you literally can't look in a random Windows installer
Most windows installers are regular archive formats, with either msi information or an executable tacked on. They open just fine in 7zip. Of course analyzing the binary files inside the installer is another matter.
Re:Windows is the malware compatibility layer for everything
by nullindividual on Wednesday July 12, 2023 @02:38PM
(#36699658)
MSIs often contain CAB files, which 7Zip can also open, though usually files in MSIs aren't named the same as their uncompressed files (i.e., .dl_ for .dll).
Re:Windows is the malware compatibility layer for everything
by the_af on Wednesday July 12, 2023 @03:05PM
(#36700063)
I think realistically you cannot expect any user, in any system, to be able to review arbitrary scripts.
Experts can, but it's asking too much of regular users who aren't programmers.
And therefore, that's the answer of why Linux is "safer" than Windows.
> Is this truly so different to clicking on some random Windows installer?
Yes, because you literally can't look in a random Windows installer (or, at least, it's not made to allow you to do so). It's true that many users won't have the competence to read and understand source code, but … it seems like that may be a genuinely unsolvable problem (if you want powerful software to be available to non-dev users); I don't know much about my car, but I could, and, when it is genuine complexity making understanding difficult rather than intentional black-boxing and obfuscation, I don't blame that on the car manufacturer.