One of the great rallying cries from the Open Source community is the assertion that Open Source Software (OSS) is, by its very nature, less likely to contain security vulnerabilities, including back doors, than closed source software. The reality is . . .. One of the great rallying cries from the Open Source community is the assertion that Open Source Software (OSS) is, by its very nature, less likely to contain security vulnerabilities, including back doors, than closed source software. The reality is far more complex and nuanced. Advocates derive their dogmatic faith in the implicit security of Open Source code from the concept of "peer review," a cornerstone of the scientific process in which published papers and theories are scrutinized by experts other than the authors. The more peers that review the work, the less likely it is that it will contains errors, and the more likely it is to become accepted. The link for this article located at SecurityFocus -- Â Â is no longer available. . The ongoing debate of Open Source versus Closed Source software centers on security, transparency, and community involvement in enhancing software quality and protection. Open Source Benefits, Security Practices, Closed Source Risks. . Anthony Pell
"Microsoft programmers had inserted a security-compromising back door in their FrontPage web server software. Thousands of websites worldwide may be affected." ... "Anybody who trusts their security to closed-source software is begging to have a back door slipped on to . . .. "Microsoft programmers had inserted a security-compromising back door in their FrontPage web server software. Thousands of websites worldwide may be affected." ... "Anybody who trusts their security to closed-source software is begging to have a back door slipped on to their system -- with or without the knowledge of the people who shipped the code and theoretically stand behind it. Microsoft HQ is doubtless sincere when it says this back door wasn't authorized." The link for this article located at Linux.com is no longer available. . In the late 90s and early 2000s, Microsoft’s FrontPage server became a target after a back door was discovered, exposing many sites to security risks and attacks. Microsoft Security, FrontPage Threat, Closed Source Risks, Web Application Vulnerabilities. . Anthony Pell
Last month's DoS attacks are a distant memory to the average Web user, but not to the Internet security community. The denial-of-service attacks exposed the vulnerabilities of both open- and closed-source security software, and now experts are debating the merits . . .. Last month's DoS attacks are a distant memory to the average Web user, but not to the Internet security community. The denial-of-service attacks exposed the vulnerabilities of both open- and closed-source security software, and now experts are debating the merits of each as they try to plan and build an Internet infrastructure that will be less susceptible to such rabid attacks. Dot-com businesses, more than any other, have embraced open software such as Linux servers -- the initial targets of the DoS attacks -- Sendmail messaging applications and Apache Web servers. These sites have turned the open vs. closed question from one of design philosophy to one of best practices The link for this article located at PC Week -- Â Â is no longer available. . Analysts assess the ramifications of recent DDoS assaults on both proprietary and community-driven security software methodologies.. open source security, DoS impact, Linux server practices, software analysis, internet infrastructure security. . Anthony Pell
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.