RE: Security vs. popularity
Irrespective of the OS used, it seems to me that security concerns discussed here are internet related to either the bad guys getting INTO your computer system or for the bad guys getting the info OUT of your system, then surely the answer is to have a "disposable system" on line and a "secure system" that NEVER goes on line.
"Disposable system": one that has minimal (or false) personal information, that is mirrored to a removable hdd on a regular basis (the regularity is proportional to the perceived hack attack risk).
"Secure system": never on line, never updated directly on line, never uses questionable software, and is located in a secure room without either hard wired or wireless access to the internet. Then there is the problem of "people" to contend with. USB drives, CD/DVD drives tempts people to bring in their latest games, photos of little Johny, etc etc.
As pointed out by others, security is inconvenient. Most people want the latest and greatest (should I mention the early adopters of Vista here?) popular software. The vast majority of software users, unfortunately don't like inconvenience and so try to bypass security or don't care, or don't even realise why the security is needed in the first place. Sadly this not only relates to computers, software and the like, but to ALL forms of security.
