I have a feeling that I'm flogging a dead horse here but I just can't help it...

I have just discovered that Ubuntu sets up a user's home folder to be readable by all and sundry by default. This is so utterly, shockingly, insanely mad I just can't understand why people aren't up in arms about it.

What is the point in touting Ubuntu as 'Secure by design' and encouraging users to 'Use strong passwords' and then making their home folders readable by anyone on the same box?

The OSX model is the sensible one. Any folders within the home folder should be locked down except for a Public/Share one. It's logical, simple, sensible and effective. The default should be secure and a User should decide to make things otherwise.

*Please* let's get this changed. It makes a mockery of Ubuntu as it stands.

Imagine checking in to a hotel and finding that the door to your room doesn't lock.

'Oh yes Sir, we do this so as not to inconvenience our guests. If you want the door to lock you need to pull this lever and press this button.'

'But that's nuts! I have travelled all over the world and stayed in a million hotels. When I close the door, I expect it to lock behind me, without even having to turn a key. And if I *do* need to turn a key, I expect it to be obvious that I need to do that!'

'Well Sir, we are an alternative hotel... we like to make it easy for you to share all your possessions with your friends and family, should they happen to come along. It's *very* easy to lock the door should you want to Sir, you just pull this lever and push this button. Couldn't be simpler really.'

'Taxi!!'

A pretty unusual hotel...

*Please* vote this up so we can get it changed!

Simon