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Linux attacks taken to heart

Unknown
edited December 2003 in Science & Tech
After a handful of recent online attacks targeting free and open-source software, developers have found themselves having to watch their backs. The attacks have convinced open-source project leaders to take another look at their security measures.

[blockquote]"It is a definite eyebrow raiser that there has been this targeting of open-source servers and core open-source development servers," said Corey Shields, a member of the infrastructure team that overseas the distribution system for Gentoo Linux's code. "The worry is that if someone wanted to be malicious, they could change core software and users could be using corrupted packages."

Although the open-source model has led to immense progress in developing a competing operating system to Microsoft's Windows--long a target of hackers--it now seems to be a magnet for attackers itself. In a sort of backhanded compliment, attackers are aiming at the Linux OS and other open-source applications because of the software's popularity. Even developers who believe they've adequately secured their development systems are looking at the trend with some trepidation.
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[link=http://news.com.com/2100-7344-5117271.html?tag=nefd_lede]Read more[/link] [link=http://www.short-media.com/comment.php?318]Related news[/link]

Comments

  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    It was only a matter of time. As Linux increases in popularity, more and more exploits are going to surface. If this were Bizarro World and Linux was more popular than Windows, you'd be hearing about all sorts of Linux exploits and Windows folks would be touting the security of their OS.

    In other news, News.com needs to fire their proofreader.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    All hail the insecurity of proliferation.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    The more you know about anything, the more you realize it is not perfect. Correct.

    John.
  • CammanCamman NEW! England Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    Thrax had this to say
    All hail the insecurity of proliferation.

    That sounds about right. I guess soon all the Linux fanboys will no longer be able to cite all the security issues with Windows and point out how it seems no worms or viruses target Linux systems.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited December 2003
    emerge --deep -u world && etc-update

    Oops, all fixed ;)

    NS
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited December 2003
    Something like that.

    The more one learns, the more one understand's his knowledge is vastly smaller than once believed.
    Ageek had this to say
    The more you know about anything, the more you realize it is not perfect. Correct.

    John.



    These weren't worms, nor viruses, but your point is loud and clear.
    Camman had this to say


    That sounds about right. I guess soon all the Linux fanboys will no longer be able to cite all the security issues with Windows and point out how it seems no worms or viruses target Linux systems.
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