If you use the popular RedHat distribution of Linux then it's actually 100%
freely available with source. Where did you get the 99% number?
Of course OpenSource is more secure. Just look at Crypto AG for an
example of closed source systems. There is a very good reason that
the Chinese prefer international Linux software over American or Israeli
software.
I would never use closed source software in a maximum security environment.
Actually, I wouldn't use Linux either. Nothing but OpenBSD.
Amanda.
ps. the Crypto AG story is here: http://mediafilter.org/caq/cryptogate/
On Thu, 20 Jul 2000, Jack Coates wrote:
> 1) The source code for Linux's kernel and 99% of the utilities that make
> it Unix is freely available. The source code for FW-1 is most definitely
> not available. A exploit against FW-1 is therefore equally likely/unlikely
> regardless of OS. An exploit against the OS will always trump security of
> a process.
>
> 2) IMHO it's a lot easier to trust a disparate group of people using
> public, archived communication to reach a openly expressed goal (World
> Domination. Fast.) with open source software than it is to trust a private
> group of people using private communication to reach the same goal using
> closed source software. Of course, the whole thing depends on who's
> auditing the code -- I don't personally have the patience for anything
> more complex than a bit of shell scripting, but I do find it comforting
> that I can see the bug fixing process.**
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