Again this really isn't a computer problem...this is a Microsoft Windows problem. Most Windows users run their PC's from a privileged "administrative" user account and do not make use of unprivileged "restricted" accounts. Also, Microsoft makes it a pain in the ass to switch between privileged and unprivileged accounts so most users don't bother.

Microsoft's older desktop operating systems (Win 95/98/ME) gave everyone who touched the machine full administrative privileges.

That's a major reason why every single home Windows computer I've ever seen...and I've seen hundreds...has some malware (or crapware) installed on it.

In the Unix/Linux world, running your machine from and administrative (root) account is a "no no" and most versions of Unix/Linux issue dire warnings to you about operating your machine from a full-privileged user account...so you don't do it. They also make it relatively easy to switch between user accounts.

If (and that's a big "if") some malware got onto a Unix/Linux machine at the worst a user profile might get hosed...but not the entire system!

I'm using GNU/Linux because in the free software world there are no "End User License Agreements" that give all the rights to the software developer. The GNU General Public License gives me rights...specifically the "four freedoms"...the right to use the software for any purpose, the right to study the software code to find out what it's doing, the right to copy the software so I can help my community and the right to change the software and release my modified software to the public.

Bob:
There are ways that security could be improved on Windows systems. But I don't think that all the blame can be dropped on Microsoft. Malware is almost entirely a user problem. There is no malware in existence that doesn't require multiple interactions with the user before it can have its way with the system. The first sentence of this article highlights the real problem: "Have you ever wondered whether you should click on or download some new piece of software you or your friends have found on the Internet?" The simple answer to this problem: No, you should not click on it! People seem to ignore the fact that all software available for download is available because someone wants to make money. They either make money by getting you to pay for it, or they put ads in it, or they use your system for their own purposes. If a link says 'Free', you need to ask yourself why it is free! Yes, Open-Source software is free of this problem, but for the average user open-source software is simply not relevant. Grandma isn't going to hunt down 'the best' Linux version, download the ISO, burn it to DVD and then install it, just so that she can have a desktop that functions exactly like Windows. And if she does get through all that, she has effectively eliminated her ability to use any sort of tech support. If she has trouble with her Internet connection, her ISP will say Sorry, we dont support Linux. Shell get the same answer if she trouble installing a new printer. Beyond that, is little Billy going to question if hes found open-source when his search brings him to an ad for a new screensaver loaded with garbage? Improving Windows is certainly a necessity and the Unix example of avoiding admin accounts is a great way to go. But the best solution to Malware is user education. People need to stop looking at the Internet as a vast repository of free stuff and recognize that there is usually a reason why someone is willing to give away their hard work.

Too bad it doesn't give you the "right to ease of use", which is more important than those other 4 combined, as far as the general public goes.