The biggest threat to open source in 2009

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If I didn't know you better: I would say "ignorance is bliss" in answer to your article. But having read enough of your blogs, I must surmise that you must have published this as a click-grabber headline.

Surely you know that most Linux distributions, and Debian (as well as those based on Debian, aaaaand most others) sport an upgrade and patch system far superior to anything proprietary. And they don't sneak back into your settings and change them to suite the vendor of your software, and never ever force secret updates to your system.

Anything that is not handled automatically (in a Linux system) is explained throughly and well covered in the instructions and documentation easily found therein. A few good examples of what is available, are:

http://www.debian.org/security/

Security Information

Debian takes security very seriously. We handle all security problems brought to our attention and ensure that they are corrected within a reasonable timeframe. Many advisories are coordinated with other free software vendors and are published the same day a vulnerability is made public and we also have a Security Audit team that reviews the archive looking for new or unfixed security bugs.

Experience has shown that "security through obscurity" does not work. Public disclosure allows for more rapid and better solutions to security problems. In that vein, this page addresses Debian's status with respect to various known security holes, which could potentially affect Debian.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

Security is an ongoing process and, like an onion, it has layers and stinks. The best defense you have is to read and learn how to secure your OS.

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6163042.html

Update Linux and FreeBSD systems for new Daylight Saving Time settings
Thankfully, the common use of comprehensive software archives in free UNIX-like operating systems such as most Linux distributions and FreeBSD ensures that for most users of these operating systems, the change will go unnoticed. As long as you keep the software on your computer updated regularly, the new time zone configurations should already be in place.

For some users, however, things are not so simple. In some cases, users may not find it convenient or even practical to use their operating systems' software management tools to update software from the central archives. These cases include examples where there is no Internet connectivity or where such connectivity is limited so that regular software updates are not feasible, such as having only dial-up Internet access. For these users, the problem becomes slightly less straightforward.

http://www.sakana.fr/blog/2007/10/20/linux-redhat-or-centos-update-system-and-packages/

Linux - RedHat (or CentOS) : update system and packages with yum
In order to keep your system updates (especially important for security fixes) on a RedHat linux system (or CentOS), you can simply perform the following command :
yum update
You?ll then be presented with a list of available updates for your system.
Doing so from time to time will help you to keep your system secure and to get the latest versions of your softwares.

http://www.sakana.fr/blog/2006/09/24/debian-gnulinux-apt/

Debian GNU/Linux : apt
Debian GNU/Linux systems come with a handy tool to manage packages : apt.
Updating package repository information

This allows you to get the latest information about the available packages (latest versions, archive names, ?)

http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/<ocument.do?assetkey=1-21-115979

Patches & Updates
Deploy and monitor updates to all of your systems through Sun from anywhere you have an Internet connection.
Start today with Knowledge-based software update services for Solaris and Linux.

Finding more information is as easy as falling off a slick log.; Posted by: Ole Man Posted on: 01/01/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use