Reflecting On Linux Security In 2003, Dec 26, 2003

When asked about Windows vs. Linux security, Gagne says: "Frankly, it seems incredible that this is even open to debate. To suggest that Windows is inherently more or as secure is almost too silly to even comment on. One need only read the newspapers, listen to the radio, watch television or work in an office where Windows is widely used. Of course Linux is more secure, and it has nothing to do with Microsoft's market penetration. It has to do with a better approach to software development. It doesn't hurt that at its very core, Linux is designed with security in mind. No need here for launching a security initiative after years of neglect."

"It's no secret that Linux is gradually penetrating everywhere. It is an operating system for all intents and purposes, with development options and scalability, and when factoring in all the costs, in many cases its adoption is a good idea," Lopez clarifies. "But the government is not spearheading any revolution. Linux systems were installed in the private sector and in the army way before the government arrived."

Ask a group of corporate IT leaders whether they'd rather stick their arms into a box of tarantulas or allow open source software (OSS) on their networks, and odds are most would start rolling up their sleeves.

In this security-conscious era, getting IT or business leaders to consider using OSS can be a tough sell. One of the main reasons is a perceived lack of control - or a throat to choke to put it another way. If you purchase packaged software, you know who's responsible. If you're using Microsoft Outlook and some knucklehead exploits a hole to distribute a virus to your user base, all eyes turn to Redmond for a patch. But if you're using Evolution and a similar problem occurs, to whom do you turn for a remedy? (See Myth #4 for the answer.)

Novell Inc. has quietly registered for the copyrights on many versions of the Unix computer operating system that the SCO Group already says it owns, further muddying the water surrounding a dispute that has embroiled the Linux open source world for almost a year.

SCO, which has sued in an effort to capture hundreds of millions of dollars in licensing fees and damages from IBM and other companies, said it owned the rights to the Unix operating system through a transfer from Novell dating back to 1995.

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