Some software developers argue that new technologies are making moot the question of whether Windows Vista and XP platforms can be made more secure. Similarly, it should not be an issue if Linux desktop has exploitable weaknesses.

New technology could minimize, if not fully eliminate, computer security problems, suggested Eran Heyman, the CEO . His company provides terminal emulation solutions for both Windows and Linux platforms.

"We can bring Linux to the next level of security by removing the desktop from the physical machine. A new trend is security of data to the server," Heyman told LinuxInsider. "The virtual Linux environment is filtered and re-imaged each time a connection is made to wipe out any existing bad code running on the operating system."

Small businesses through large enterprise configurations can use virtualization to run Xen, VMWare and Windows Server installations. Virtualization technology moves the operating system to a centrally-managed location. It mimics behavior on the local machine, but the operating system is not there, said Heyman.