Security Strategies in Linux Platforms and Applications, 3rd Edition

Security in an Open-Source World

Linux is part of a large collection of software developed by teams that provide access to the source code and all the ­programming ­language text from which the final executable is generated for anyone who wants to look at it. This approach is called ­open-source because the source code is open for anyone to see. Software ­developed by ­companies that ask you to pay for the program is ­commonly called closed source in addition to being commercial software.

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In a university setting, having access to source code enabled you to learn from what others were doing. If someone else had a better idea and improved ...