True, true. The only secure computer is one that doesn’t exist ;-)

Still, security being relative, there are some steps that can be taken and some tools that can be used that provide a greater degree of security. I trust in the ideas and foundation of Unix far more than I do Microsoft products.

To answer the second question, it depends upon what you mean by “attacked.” Widespread attacks are left to the governments or international agencies that fight against such attackers, and I’m not sure how that works currently. Good question.

If someone attacks you directly with a targeted attack, you MUST report it immediately to your local authorities. They will work with the appropriate agencies to track down the offender, if they can. The international nature of the web makes this complicated, which is why there is a call for an “Internetpol” agency to cross those borders to stop such attackers.

@Mathew: Old joke. The reality is that there is nothing safe from anyone who wants in bad enough and has the time and motivation to figure out how. Many companies have put their best and most secure products out on the line only to have someone break into them within a short time. Few things are that secure, and if they are, you probably couldn’t afford them. :D Mac, long touted as the most secure consumer product, has had a viruses and attacks in recent years, especially with the widespread adoption of iPods, iPhones, and Mac laptops coming back into fashion. There have been attacks against Linux and other services, though not as widespread or public as Windows, which is the most common operating system in the world.

United States law does not apply to foreign nationals whose actions take place on foreign soil. In instances of cyber crime, for instance, the only recourse is for the United States’s government and law enforcement officials to collaborate with foreign law enforcement to bring criminals to justice.

This happens on a regular basis with European agencies, but that is not the case with China, where the majority of cyber attacks aimed at the United States originate. I’m not familiar with Vietnam’s laws, but to use your example, our law enforcement officials (usually the FBI in relation to cyber crimes) would contact Vietnam and convince them to arrest the perpetrator.

Suffice it to say that justice is rarely served.

I’ve used Linux exclusively for the last two years without a problem, and recently purchased a Macbook. The webhost I use is on Linux servers, and I keep my site software (WordPress, plugins, et. al.) up to date. No problems so far in the almost-three years I’ve been there.

The problem is that the OS (Microsoft Windows) is Defective By Design. Get a secure OS and you’ll have a lot less problems.

USA and Canada have almost same levels of laws (municipal, provincial – state for you, federal)……I wonder which level of laws would apply.
The what if you get attacked from let’s say Vietnam (nothing against Vietnam, I just picked a random country in Asia), does American law apply ot Vietnamese law apply? Which police would get involved?.