[–] Lopsid [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
That sounds realistic because with GNU+Linux, no downloaded file is executable unless you set it to be executable. I'm not sure what would happen if you write a program that sets other files as executable. That could be the exception here. But who cares? If you download a virus that sets files as executable, it's not going to run and what kind of idiot is going to write a program that sets downloaded files as executable? I think Windows machines get infected mostly because downloaded files are allowed to run when double-clicked or something.
[–] noblefool 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I love chmod.
Actually it's all about execution context and privileges. In Linux, almost nothing runs with elevated privileges. You have to actually give it explicit instructions to elevate privileges. In Windows, everything runs with the highest available level of privileges, and thus is far easier to compromise.