Another one is that so much software has its interface changed in seemingly-random ways so that it “looks new and different” for marketing purposes, not because it’s easier or clearer to use. The result is that users are never sure that what they’re seeing on screen is their legitimate software but upgraded, or a fake displayed by a would-be intruder. Either way, the dialog is in front of their work and getting in their way, so they’ll clock on “OK” to make it go away.

It’s a simple matter that the IT world needs to be a more mixed and innovative environment. It’s entirely possible that genuine innovation would bring greater levels of security. The monopoly level of control of end user systems is bad regardless of brand. IT would not be much better off if IBM or Apple and DEC had maintained the dominance they held in back in the day as that involved both hardware and software control. IT hardware has had quite a different development path due to the involvement of a wider range of providers. The IT hardware world stands in similar danger of limited provider domination unless the competitors to can avoid being bought out. Sun just got swallowed by Oracle as an example.

Security in the IT world is far too important to be left to “brand” arguments.