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Linux Getting Harder To Crack

Posted by timothy on from the pride-goeth-before-a-fall dept.

AlanS2002 points out today's article from Iain Thomson on vnu.net, which says that "Linux systems are getting tougher for hackers to crack, security experts have reported today," summarizing "A study conducted by the Honeynet Project has found that it takes about 3 months before a unpatched Linux machine will be owned, compared with about 72 hours in the past. According to a report on the study default installations are now more secure with less services enabled by default, added to this is newer versions of software such as OpenSSH being more secure. Interestingly Solaris 8 and 9 did not fare so well."

28 of 553 comments (clear)

  1. Slashdot Getting Easier to Dupe by CajunArson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes this story has already been posted. But don't worry! Since there is no link to Netcraft it will be duped again when there is official confirmation!

    --
    AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
  2. cracked by bryan986 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I cracked a linux box in 30 seconds... ...with a hammer

    --
    There is no sig
    1. Re:cracked by thej1nx · · Score: 2, Funny

      It is ok. I have patched it now ... with glue.

  3. Owned? by Klar · · Score: 5, Funny

    it takes about 3 months before a unpatched Linux machine will be owned
    Maybe I'm wrong, but shouldn't it be pwnd or 0wned or 0wn3d or 0\/\/|/|3|) or some variation on that instead of owned

    --
    Boxing Equipment Reviews
    1. Re:Owned? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      or in this case, postpwn3d

    2. Re:Owned? by eclectro · · Score: 5, Funny

      Maybe I'm wrong, but shouldn't it be pwnd or 0wned or 0wn3d or 0\/\/|/|3|) or some variation on that instead of owned

      Yes, you are correct. The problem is Slashdot doesn't have spell-check yet.

      --
      Take the cheese to sickbay, the doctor should see it as soon as possible - B'Elanna Torres, "Learning Curve"
    3. Re:Owned? by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 3, Funny


      How about "pawned"?

      Since none of the /. nerd-boys can afford to actually BUY a computer since they're spending too much time on /. instead of working for a living...

      (I can't wait for the "What's YOUR excuse?" responses...)

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    4. Re:Owned? by Technician · · Score: 2, Funny

      it takes about 3 months before a unpatched Linux machine will be owned

      Nope, that's about right. As a newbie I put Slackware on a machine and it took about that long to get X to work with my AGP video card. Until I got a GUI, I didn't feel like I was in control. ;-)

      --
      The truth shall set you free!
  4. interesting by tuxter · · Score: 5, Funny

    "A study conducted by the Honeynet Project has found that it takes about 3 months before a unpatched Linux machine will be owned, compared with about 72 hours in the past."

    "A study conducted by the Honeynet Project has found that it takes about 3 minutes before a unpatched Windows SP2 machine to be owned, compared with about 72 seconds in the past.

    1. Re:interesting by tuxter · · Score: 2, Funny

      The patch is installing Linux.

    2. Re:interesting by tuba_dude · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hell no. Tux Racer Underground is where it's at. You can trick out Tux with cool new shades, wing spoilers, ground effects and even decals!

      --
      "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."
    3. Re:interesting by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Tux Racer Underground is where it's at. You can trick out Tux with cool new shades, wing spoilers, ground effects and even decals!

      You've just described the as-yet-secret title, Tux Ricer.

  5. SCO by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    SCO is the easiest to crack judging from all of the smoking going on there....

  6. In Case it get's /.ed by spac3manspiff · · Score: 4, Funny

    Here's a summary:
    (Ranked from most crackable to least crackable)
    Linux>Solaris>Glass>Windows

    1. Re:In Case it get's /.ed by SteeldrivingJon · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think you mean:

      (Ranked from most crackable to least crackable)
      Linux>Solaris> "Sugar Glass">Windows

      Sugar glass being the fake glass used for special effects. It breaks easy, and is less likely to cut the poor sod who has to jump through it.

      Sugar glass doesn't last long (warps or goes sticky) so make it close to the time when you plan to use it.
      Keep it out of moist areas and direct sun. The same as a lolipop it will melt or go gooey.
      The sugar can attract ants and other bugs so keep it packaged in plastic, etc. until you use it.
      Though only sugar, the glass can have sharp edges/points when broken, so be careful when handling

      (From: here)

      Well, reading that, sugar glass really is pretty close to Windows. Best keep it in the plastic, so as not to run into any bugs.

      --
      September 2011: Looking for Cocoa/iOS work in Boston area Cocoa Programmer Quincy, MA
    2. Re:In Case it get's /.ed by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Funny
      Either way, you just made Linux much easier to crack than glass...


      Oh. He must have been referring to an independant study funded by Microsoft. :-P

      I'm sure it's coming soon.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  7. Re:As a Linux User... by huber · · Score: 2, Funny

    wow linux user with a linux box!!1

  8. 133t... by bender647 · · Score: 5, Funny
    But there was bad news for Solaris users, with three out of the four honeypots running Solaris 8 or 9 hacked within three weeks. However, a fourth has been online for six months without being compromised.

    Stop nagging, I'll get to it.

    1. Re:133t... by StikyPad · · Score: 4, Funny

      But there was bad news for Solaris users, with three out of the four honeypots running Solaris 8 or 9 hacked within three weeks. However, a fourth has been online for six months without being compromised.

      Stop nagging, I'll get to it.

      It's not that all 4 weren't compromised, it's just that they didn't notice me. I guess you're the one they caught on the first 3? It's okay, keep practicing. ;)

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  9. Fairwell, English grammer by MerryGoByeBye · · Score: 4, Funny

    Parding is such suite sorrough...

  10. In other news... by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's been discovered that it takes about 3 months before an owned Windows machine will be patched.

    1. Re:In other news... by StikyPad · · Score: 3, Funny

      T.I.N.A.R.T. - This Is Not A Recursive Tinart

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  11. The Way to a 100% Secure System by one_n_only_wildcat · · Score: 4, Funny
    There is a way to a 100% secure system..

    http://www.worleybuggerflyco.com/flytyingtools/arr ow_diagram.jpg

    --
    "Something unknown is doing we don't know what." - Sir Arthur Eddington
  12. Re:A router routes packets. by Dimensio · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next, explain to us how packets from computer A with ISP X on one side of the world, can possibly attack computer B with ISP Y on the other side of the world without going through at least two routers.

    http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1149.txt?number=1149

    --
    STOP MISUSING APOSTROPHES, YOU MORONS!!!
  13. Re:As a Linux User... by thrillseeker · · Score: 4, Funny
    My unfirewalled SP1 Windows XP box has faired similarly to my linux box, with just a bit of spyware.

    Being infected with "just a bit of spyware" is like being just a little bit pregnant.

  14. Re:A router routes packets. by ultranova · · Score: 4, Funny

    Next, explain to us how packets from computer A with ISP X on one side of the world, can possibly attack computer B with ISP Y on the other side of the world without going through at least two routers.

    Simple.

    Computer A is set to capture its outgoing packets and print them into a piece of paper. This paper is then given to a ninja, who leaps to the other side of the world, types in the packet into machine B, and sends it through the loopback device. 0wn3d !

    Moral: firewalls are no defense against ninjas ! In fact, don't have a firewall, because if you do, a ninja will come and 0wn your computer, then flip out right there ! You wouldn't want a ninja to flip out in your house while you're asleep, now would you ?

    --

    Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  15. Re:A router routes packets. by o'reor · · Score: 2, Funny
    Good old 'IP over carrier pigeon protocol'.

    In related news, Remington has announced that it will invest in IT, specializing in Internet security systems. They have already released a number of RFC-1149 compliant firewall appliances.

    --
    In Soviet Russia, our new overlords are belong to all your base.
  16. Re:There is a solution for dupes by Master+Bait · · Score: 2, Funny

    That would save the editors from the trouble of having to actually read the website.

    --
    "Only in their dreams can men truly be free 'twas always thus, and always thus will be."
    --Tom Schulman