Linus Torvalds on the State of Linux Today and How AI Figures in Its Future
Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux and the father of open-source software, sat down with ZDNet to talk about the state of Linux today and how AI figures into its future.
Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux and the father of open-source software, sat down with ZDNet to talk about the state of Linux today and how AI figures into its future.
In 2014, the cybersecurity community witnessed a critical OpenSSL vulnerability, “Heartbleed,” which changed how the world perceived digital security. It is considered to be among the most serious flaws in internet history. Heartbleed not only exposed the weaknesses in popular cryptographic protocols but also the potential repercussions of a small coding error.
Open source is everywhere; a Synopsys study found that 96% of all software code bases analyzed included open-source software. That’s the good news. Ironically, it’s also the bad news, as the very pervasiveness of open source introduces risk.
Linux is a secure operating system that allows for steady communication between hardware and software so employees can continue working without facing data and network security issues. Linux is an open-licensed system that is developer-friendly. After mastering Linux security and hardening, developers can distribute the modified versions to employees and clients.
It’s easy to believe that releasing software at a slower pace means the software gets released more securely. While it’s sometimes counter-intuitive, my experience has been the exact opposite: quick releases are beneficial for shipping secure products.
Recently, an article crossed my path that made me smile. There’s not much in tech these days that does that, so I took a moment to savor this rare sensation.
Although Linux offers security advantages, users must remain vigilant against various forms of malware and cyberattacks.
"Open-source software's security and reliability aspects have played a significant role in its rise. The availability of source code to a large community of developers allows for thorough code review, which helps promptly identify and address potential security vulnerabilities. With a collective effort to maintain and enhance the software, the open-source approach ensures higher reliability and stability."
Organizations running Linux distributions need to prepare to defend their systems against ransomware attacks. Steps to ensure resiliency and basics such as access control reduce major disruptions.
With the growth of Linux in cloud environments, critical infrastructure, and even mobile platforms, hackers are increasingly targeting the open source system for higher returns.
The OS enjoys a reputation for enhanced security. That might change as cyberattacks surge against Linux-based products and services.
Researchers at an Israeli security firm on Tuesday revealed how hackers could turn a generative AI’s “hallucinations” into a nightmare for an organization’s software supply chain.
While tech companies are laying off staff claiming that they are cutting costs because of “economic headwinds” they do not seem that keen to let their open saucers go. "The demand for skilled tech talent remains strong, particularly in fast-developing areas, such as cloud and containers, cybersecurity, and artificial and machine intelligence. These are all areas which are heavily dependent on open source and Linux technologies."
Seemingly immune for so long, here's a reminder that MacOS and Linux need to protect themselves against malware, too.
Chainguard, the co-creator of Sigstore, has conducted a survey to better understand if and how software supply best practicesare utilized by the industry. We take a look at the findings.
Companies that established open-source program offices over the last few years now need more C-suite oversight to drive education, awareness, and use of open-source software. That sets the stage for an expanded role of open-source program officers.
IceFire has changed up its OS target in recent cyberattacks, emblematic of ransomware actors increasingly targeting Linux enterprise networks, despite the extra work involved.
"Open source security is arguably getting better, thanks to vendors like Chainguard and industry consortia like the Open Source Security Foundation. But we have a ways to go, and in the meantime, security, as well as other factors, mean that “free as in beer” is never truly free."
More than 40% of technology managers say security and compliance are an issue with open source.
"Linux-based operating systems are also known for their stability and security. Unlike Windows, which is often targeted by malware and viruses, Linux-based operating systems are less prone to security threats. This is due, in part, to the open-source nature of the operating system, which allows developers to quickly identify and fix security vulnerabilities."
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