Linux/Unix Tops Charts for Vulnerabilities in 2005

BeanBunny writes "I realize that this topic is almost as volatile around here as Intelligent Design, but I think this is interesting nonetheless. US-CERT has released their year-end vulnerability summary. According to InformationWeek.com, Linux/Unix (including Mac OS) had almost three times the number of OS-specific vulnerabilities reported last year compared to Microsoft Windows. Obviously, statistics are meaningless without the proper conjecture, speculation, and opinionation, so let the debate begin again over which OS is really more secure."

Comments

Dear Slashdot,

[hellomynameisclinton]

Dear Slashdot,

I'm offended by the latest comparison of

Linux

and

Windows

. The linked article offers no measurable insight, and is exactly the kind of flamebait that bores the /. community. It goes without saying that I did not read the article, but I know enough about

operating systems

that it is incorrect, and insight-free.

Please change your editorial practices to fit my tastes better.

ComplaintGen (R) - 2006

Re:Dear Slashdot,

[Linker3000]

Slashdot EeziPost (TM) MK 1.1.01

#NB: For obvious reasons, the first option is ENABLED by default - remember to turn off if you are NOT responding to a dupe

[ ] Another: [ ] Dupe [ ] Slashvertisment [X ] WTF [ ] $editor is a dork

[ ] Frist psot [ ] $link_to_GNAA [ ] $link_to_goatse [ ] $random_drivel

[ ] I Haven't RTFA, but... $random_self_opinionated_comment

[ ] [$Slashdot_reader] writes, "[$pundit] wrote an article about [$Technology_we're_not_currently_fond_of], based on conjecture and personal opinion. Does this mean that [$Technology_flavor_of_the_month] is taking over?

[ ] Slashdotted already!. I bet their server runs on $topic_item too!

[ ] I am not qualified to respond to this article, but I will give you my insight anyway..

[ ] Here's a plug for my blog / Web site disguised as an insightful comment (I need the ad revenue)

[ ] Next they'll be patenting 'A method of replying to a Slashdot posts using a form containing pre-defined response options'

[X] Mod Parent [X] up [ ] Down

[ ] Fsck: [ ] Sony [ ] SCO [ ] Micro$oft [ ] DMCA [ ] DRM [ ] MPAA [ ] RIAA [ ] Google [ ] Bush [ ] You all

[ ] I for one welcome our new $topic_item overlords

[ ] Imagine a beowulf cluster of those

[ ] In Soviet Russia, $topic_item owns you!

[ ] Meh!

[ ] You must be new here!

[ ] Netcraft confirms $topic_item is: [ ] dead [ ] dying

[ ] But have the inventors thought of what will happen if $random_amateur_insight

[ ] You insensitive clod

[ ] Torrent, anyone?

[ ] Here's a link to a patch: $random_linux_distro_url

[ ] "Yeah, but does it run Linux?"; if($summary has 'linux') add " Oh, wait..."

[ ] Profit!!

[ ] Tinfoil hat at the ready

[ ] Still no cure for cancer

[X] "()*%£^" No Carrier

2,328 bugs found is 2,328 bugs fixed.

[Stuupid]

2,328 is a whole lot more than 812. that means that *nix et al are 1,516 fixes ahead of the competition.

Re:One Take

[skraps]

You feel that sting, big boy, huh? That's pride fuckin' with you!

(source)

Re:Suuuuure

[shmlco]

"..but having a list of 500 simple buffer overflows in rarely used games.."

You should look at the list. http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/bulletins/SB2005.html Hardly any are "rarely used games", unless "Multiple Vendors Linux Kernel Asynchronous Input/Output Local Denial Of Service" is the latest FPS...

Re:Suuuuure

[Pieroxy]

what is the down side of source code availability?

The inability to maintain a monopoly by using scare tactics?