Ubuntu has been depending on baby steps to keep it moving forward. And although Mantic Minitaur might look as if it follows that pattern, there's more to it than meets the eye. . I've been a fan of Ubuntu for a very long time. And although straight-up Ubuntu isn't my desktop of choice (that honor belongs to Ubuntu Budgie), I've always found Canonical's distribution to be one I highly respected and wouldn't hesitate to suggest for users of all skill levels. Over the years, I've grown accustomed to the small steps taken by Canonical with Ubuntu. Its releases aren't exactly splashy but they certainly are reliable. So, when I downloaded the daily build of Ubuntu 23.10, I expected the usual "boring" upgrade. I was both validated and surprised. On the surface, Ubuntu 23.10 seems more of the same. Ubuntu looks and feels like the Ubuntu I've been experiencing for the past few years. However, when you start digging in, you realize there's more than meets the eye. . Delve into the surprising richness of the updates in Ubuntu 23.10 Mantic Minotaurs, which ensure it maintains its significance in today's landscape.. Ubuntu 23.10, Canonical Distribution, System Updates. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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.. Digital environments use Linux security more widely than other OSes, as you can find it in cars, televisions, mobile phones, and the Internet. Let’s examine the advantages and drawbacks of using Linux so you can make an informed decision when deciding which OS to use. Advantage: Linux’s Open-Source Software Linux is an open-source OS, meaning organizations can configure this free-to-use data and network security option to meet specific needs. Coders and IT security professionals utilize Linux after adapting computer programming languages to their preferred setup, and Linux’s affordability makes it a popular platform for businesses. This open-source OS has coding that anyone can study, run, modify, copy, and redistribute so long as they do so under the same license. Linux’s community of users, whether hobbyist programmers or professional developers, contributes to the Linux kernel through advice from their own experiences. People can apply Linux live patching and identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities that developers can work on to improve security posture, and the community can benefit from these shared contributions. Open-source OSes are more cost-effective than larger systems. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can benefit from Linux options to start small before scaling, helping budget-challenged companies get ahead on data and network security before it is too late. Utilizing a financially sound option in your cloud security frameworks is a significant first step toward success. Disadvantage: Adaptation Is Difficult Being a Linux Security developer is invaluable since it can provide various professional jobopportunities. This education can allow workers to develop new programs and improve existing systems. Unfortunately, the steep learning curve can be challenging without Linux security training courses. If you have previously worked with non-open-source OSes, becoming familiar with Linux operations can take a lot of time, which can be frustrating for employees. Although the security pros of Linux Security being reliable, functional, stable, and secure are substantial, new users can have complications when navigating the server. The cloud security framework is also not compatible with all design software and OSes, and it does not carry an interactive graphical user interface, both of which can pose setbacks when considering Linux as a data and network security option. Regardless, developers and programmers look at Linux OSes first when deciding on the best solution for their business. Advantage: Great Stability and Reliability Linux’s biggest strength is its reliability in keeping company workloads and documents stable. It permits systems to run for extended amounts of time without rebooting. The efficiently managed system and resources allow Linux Security professionals to handle multiple processes simultaneously, incredibly beneficial to those working on critical systems like supercomputers and servers. Big tech companies like Amazon and Google utilize Linux’s ability to manage heavy workloads and uptime to prevent data and network security risks from devastating their reputation and credibility. Since supercomputers require robust, high-performance platforms to execute complex engineering and scientific applications, they depend on Linux’s reliability and stability to manage massive data processing without issues. Disadvantage: Minimal Support for Video Games Game developers focus on creating games for computer OSes, such as Apple OS and Windows, since they are more popular among young video game users. Linux has yet to support such options, which keeps the platform separate frompresent-day users. Those who attempt to utilize Linux for gaming find performance issues and limited game libraries that make their experience less ideal and enjoyable. Therefore, Linux is far from the perfect platform for gaming, as it is the least-suited option for such activities. Since Linux does not use closed-source software, the framework could hold gamers back from making significant progress in the latest games. Advantage: Overall Data and Network Security On other platforms like Windows, you must create additional accounts to formulate restricted permissions, as most servers offer automatic access. On Linux, however, users must enter a root password every time they need to perform system-level operations, reducing the need for default permissions and increasing security across the server. Linux has robust features on its data and network security websites that are process-oriented to keep everything on a server safe. Subsystem employees maintain Linux source code to review any changes executed in the software thoroughly. Linux also automatically updates to ensure you are never behind on cybersecurity patching. These Linux security patching solutions are essential, and Linux makes installing new ones at any time easy. Our Final Thoughts on Linux Security Pros and Cons Data and network security are crucial to making sure a business thrives. Therefore, organizations must consider the best option for their daily operations. Although there are a few disadvantages to utilizing Linux Security in specific settings, this OS is perfect for most businesses, as it is stable, reliable, robust, and cost-effective. Open-source Linux is ideal for helping companies improve their security posture with a cybersecurity platform they can trust. . Evaluating Linux as a secure OS reveals pros like open-source transparency and customizability, balanced by cons such as usability challenges and fragmentation. Linux Development, Network Security Options, Data Security Practices, Open Source Benefits. .Brittany Day
Another big ticket feature has made it for the Linux 6.0 kernel: the Runtime Verification infrastructure for running Linux on safety-critical systems. . Linux developer Daniel Bristot de Oliveira has been exploring Runtime Verification for Linux the past few years and the implementation is set to be mainlined as part of the tracing updates in this next kernel. There is this basic documentation on the Runtime Verification (RV) for those interested in Linux use on real-time, safety-critical systems. The link for this article located at Phoronix is no longer available. . Linux 6.0 significantly enhances safety for critical operations via improved runtime verification, ensuring compliance with safety constraints during execution. Runtime Verification, System Integrity, Safety Systems, Linux Kernel, Real-Time Applications. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Oracle has bought the Ksplice company which offers services and technology for correcting vulnerabilities and errors in the Linux kernel on the fly. Oracle plans to incorporate the technology into its Unbreakable Linux kernel, as used by its "Unbreakable Linux", and expects this to increase the operating system's reliability, security and availability.. Ksplice originated at MIT and was introduced by Jeff Arnold in 2008. It works by first analysing a security patch and comparing it with the source code of the currently running kernel. It then creates a set of kernel modules to perform the update; these modules determine where the running kernel can be paused and, while paused, adds redirections to the new code where appropriate and then unpauses the kernel. The link for this article located at H Security is no longer available. . Oracle fortifies protection utilizing Ksplice, an in-runtime patching tool to seamlessly address Linux kernel security flaws.. Oracle Acquisition,Ksplice Technology,Linux Kernel Patch. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
A few weeks ago I had the distinct displeasure of waking up to a series of emails indicating that a series of RAID arrays on a remote system had degraded. The remote system was still running, but one of the hard drives was pretty much dead.. Upon logging in, it was found that four out of six RAID devices for a particular drive match were running in degraded mode: four partitions of the /dev/sdf device had failed; the two operational partitions still working were the /boot and swap partitions (the system is running three RAID1 mirrored drives; a total of six physical drives). Checking the SMART status of /dev/sdf showed that SMART information on the drive could not be read. It was absolutely on its last legs. Luckily, I had a spare 300GB drive with which to replace it, so the removal and restructure of the RAID devices would be easy. The link for this article located at TechRepublic is no longer available. . Upon identifying compromised RAID sets, substituting malfunctioning disks is crucial for maintaining data security and operational stability.. Linux RAID, RAID Array Management, Drive Replacement, Data Integrity. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
WireX server appliance software, which makes systems less vulnerable to corruption and hacker attacks, debuts at Linuxworld Conference & Expo PORTLAND, OR - August 9, 2000- WireX, a developer of software for 'purpose-specific' servers, commonly known as server appliances, today announced . . . . WireX server appliance software, which makes systems less vulnerable to corruption and hacker attacks, debuts at Linuxworld Conference & Expo PORTLAND, OR - August 9, 2000- WireX, a developer of software for 'purpose-specific' servers, commonly known as server appliances, today announced the availability of its latest configuration: Immunix Workgroup Server Appliance. This easy-to-administer, inexpensive, "all-in-one" workgroup server appliance integrates web, email, file and print server functionality, as well its ability to protect servers from future and unknown hacker attacks. The Immunix Workgroup Server is the ideal solution for small to medium sized businesses that want to reduce total cost of ownership. Traditional general-purpose servers are complex, require highly skilled IT administration and are expensive to maintain. The Immunix Workgroup Server Appliance includes web-based remote network administration, which increases productivity by providing an intuitive, menu-driven interface that scales to technical and non-technical server administrators. "Small business owners have begun to rely more heavily on their networks to support the mission-critical functions of their business. They are looking for server products that provide increased levels of reliability and security at an affordable price. And, server appliances are attracting a new group of customers who have limited IT knowledge", said Joonees K. Chay, CEO. The Immunix Workgroup Server Appliance features: Operating System Independent: Remote network user interface Easy to Use: OS platform expertise is not required Scalable User Interface: From basic to advanced network users Built-in Localization Engine: Ready for text translation in anylanguage More Secure and Reliable: When compared to conventional Linux servers Runs on most off-the-shelf PC hardware Significantly less expensive to own and operate The Immunix Workgroup Server Appliance is based on Immunix OS, a value-added standard Linux distribution, which includes "immunized" integrated server components developed by WireX. There are several types of host-survivability technologies that are included in every WireX server appliance that makes the system less vulnerable to corruption and hacker attacks: SubDomain acts like a bank's vault alarm system that locks down upon intrusion. Acting like a virtual firewall inside the server, SubDomain-confined programs are effectively quarantined to protect the rest of the system from damage. StackGuard protects vulnerable programs against the most common form of hacker attacks, "stack smashing" buffer overflow attacks. CryptoMark prevents the installation of improper or malicious programs that hackers use to gain access. Combined, these technologies produce a highly secure server that does not need constant patching and is completely compatible with other servers and clients. The end result is a system that is easier to administer, less expensive to operate, and is host-survivable without performance penalty. "Immunix provides one of the most secure server platform solutions today without compromising functional features required to operate a network administration," says Dr. Crispin Cowan, Chief Scientist at WireX. "Combine that with the ease of use of our RNAEngine administration tools and low cost of ownership, and you have a dedicated workgroup server perfect for the IT needs of a small business or a Fortune 500 corporate department." WireX will be demonstrating the Immunix Workgroup Server Appliance at Linuxworld Conference and Expo in San Jose, California, August 15th -17th at Booth #3044. A Press Conference is scheduled for August 17th at 11:00 AM in Room K at the San Jose Convention Center. Price and Availability The ImmunixWorkgroup Server software is now available to WireX's OEM partners and Solution Providers through WireX's website and is priced at less than $200.00 per unit. Strategic cooperative marketing partnership programs are also available. WireX partners with hardware manufacturers and solution providers to offer an integrated hardware and software server solution. Online demonstrations, technical specifications, and other details can be found at WireX's website:. About WireX WireX Communications, Inc. is a Portland, Oregon based software developer of purpose-specific server appliances, featuring an easy-to-use, scalable, web-based administration interface. WireX's products enable partners to build "immunized" (host-survivable) Linux server appliances quickly, dependably and economically. WireX focuses on software-only solutions allowing a much broader range of solutions when compared to hardware-based server appliance developers. The company () is located in the heart of the Silicon Forest at 920 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204 and may be reached at 503.222.9660 or email at
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.