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Mitnick on OSS

Posted by Hemos on from the hacking-it-out dept.

comforteagle writes "Infamous cracker Kevin Mitnick (turned security consultant) has come out to say that he'd prefer to 'hack' open source code vs proprietary closed code. "Mitnick says that open source software is easier to analyse for security holes, since you can see the code. Proprietary software, on the other hand, requires either reverse engineering, getting your hands on illicit copies of the source code, or using a technique called 'fuzzing'." He further says that open source is more secure, but leaves you wondering questions if enough people are really interested in securing open source code."

2 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Umm, yeah... by HokieGeek · · Score: 0, Redundant
    kinda stating the obvious, isn't he? "OSS is easier to hack because it's OSS, which is easier to hack becuase it's OSS, which is easier to hack...."

    one question, just for clarification, when he says: "source is more secure, but leaves you wondering questions if enough people are really interested in securing open source code." what he's saying is that it *could* be more secure, if people would care enough about security? i'm not trying to be a smartass, i'm truly confused.

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  2. Re:Captain Obvious by IAmTheDave · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Seriously. I know it's Slashdot, but this particular nugget of wisdom - even from beloved Kevin Mitnick - doesn't really count as news.

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