Quote:

Doesn't publicly available OS code make it easier for hackers to get deep inside a machine?

Just something I have thought about for a while.




That has bothered me, too. Here is the story, pieced together from various Linux enthusiasts:

Open-source software is designed by "hackers", thousands(maybe millions?) of them, monitoring and upgrading the system as they are able. These "hackers" take great pride in a bullet-proof computing environment, and really work at not being "hacked". A point of honour, if you will. And they don't mind sharing their cool tricks, so other hackers can admire their genius. Somehow, it all ends up being a community effort... weird, I know.

Proprietary software is developed by paid programmers who have little personal interest in the ultimate success or failure of the system - as long as their little portion of the job is done as requested, and the paycheques keep rolling in. There is a relative lack of big-picture thinking. Gaps and loopholes occur - security suffers.

Guess who lives happily ever after...?...


just looking for clues...
Oren.
http://www.masteringmatters.com