Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

If they were IT majors they'd probably be able to browse porn without getting their computers infected, or at least fix their computers if they did get infected. Different people have different areas of expertise. An IT major couldn't write a 2500 word critique on Kant if their life depended on it.



>An IT major couldn't write a 2500 word critique on Kant if their life depended on it.

I can, but that's because I did a philosophy degree before entering CS. At any rate, I still can't believe how many people get viruses from porn. With the proliferation of tube sites, you don't need to download anything. AdBlock takes care of malware-serving ads. You pretty much have to fall for the "this video requires a codec. Click here to download" bullshit. I get that some people can barely google, but it depresses me that there's enough of them to make it worthwhile for people to write viruses.


> You pretty much have to fall for the "this video requires a codec. Click here to download" bullshit.

The less knowledgeable ones fall for the "codec" bit. Those who have been bitten fall for the "your security software needs updating" bit. I've helped plenty of friends and acquaintances, but they're fighting an uphill battle because they don't stay up to date with their knowledge of the new scams.

I even taught a class on this stuff at the library for a while (I was volunteering for the group giving classes, but I created the internet security one on my own). Take it as optimistic or pessimistic if you want, but everything I did was but a drop in the ocean. Still, at least it's my drop.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: