OSS in IT
What is OSS?
  Examples
  More examples
  Extreme
What is Linux?
  Distributions
  Support
  Free? How?
  Stable? Secure?
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 Is it stable and secure?

  • Unlike closed, proprietary software, OSS is subjected to intense, constant peer review.
    • Bugs are much more likely to be found early, and reported to the maintainers.
    • Linux has never seen the type of Virus and Worm attack seen several times in the last year on MS environments. In fact, at this point no Linux virus is known to exist.

  • Can't Crackers use the source to break in?
    • Security risks (bugs which allow someone to do things they shouldn't) are generally found first by a concerned user than by a cracker.
    • When a cracker does find the "exploit" first, analysis of the exploit on the early compromised machines results in very fast response.
    • Knowledge of a bug makes bug finding easier.
    • "Security through secrets means nothing." - Gregory Maxwell

  • What about Crackers installing backdoors?
    • Peer review prevents this in official version.
    • Always use official, trusted sources.

  • What about Year 2000?
    • Unix doesn't count time using two digits, but rather is counted in number of seconds since January 1, 1970. A 32-bit system such as x86 Linux should thus have no date problems through the year 2038.

Copyright 1999 Chris Halsall and the Victoria Linux Users Group. Reuse permitted for OSS promotion.