Linux and "Is Executable": Opinions?

[AmEv]

I've recently noticed that Linux OSes, especially Ubuntu, are starting to have a "Is Executable" option, possibly for safety and security reasons.
It is definitely prominent on .exe files.

A bit of an inconvenience, but definitely a potential-security-hole filler.

What do you think? Awesome, good, bad, just plain annoying?

[Drum Thumper]

I personally think this is a great idea. Most people are very lax when it comes to security.

[AmEv]

"Oh! My current antivirus software missed 2,000 items! This online one scanned my 1TB HDD in 15 seconds! I need to get it!"


NOT.





Plus, it fills the hole of auto-executing apps.

Yes, it is a bit of an annoyance that it needs to happen, but it saves so many problems in the long run.

[x88x]

This is actually just a GUI implementation of a file permissions function that has been part of every *nix OS for decades. All they're doing (unless I'm missing something) is simplifying the process so that people don't have to touch the command line to modify the executable state of files.

IDK about auto-executing files...I've never actually heard of one of those in a *nix environment...

[AmEv]

I'm mainly referring to the self-installing virii that are on Windows machines.

You just VISIT a site, and hey, new folder in your System32 or Program Files!

[x88x]

I'm mainly referring to the self-installing virii that are on Windows machines.

You just VISIT a site, and hey, new folder in your System32 or Program Files!

Yeah, but since this is a function in *nix, even if you do have Wine installed and the virus somehow did manage to run it wouldn't really be able to do much of anything to the system.

[AmEv]

Yeah.


Especially since it is impossible for Wine to lock the keyboard.