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Scanner Spots Open Source Installations

Posted by kdawson on from the toward-what-end dept.

Mike writes "Information security firm OpenLogic has begun letting users download 'Discovery,' an application that scans Windows, Linux, and Solaris machines and attempts to identify open source software. The Discovery application claims to identify more than 5,000 versions of the top 900 open source packages. The scanning engine is able to detect open source installations whether they were installed explicitly or bundled with other software products. Kim Weins, vice president of marketing, says 'We developed it in response to customers not knowing what open source programs they were using.' I can't help but think that this a move to slyly demonize FOSS by scaring businesses into thinking they don't know what's on their PCs."

2 of 275 comments (clear)

  1. Doh by nokilli · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know, given the Vista experience, we're getting to the point where you know there's open source software afoot if the scanner simply runs without crashing something.

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  2. Crickey by also-rr · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have 12,000 violations on my laptop. I better make out a check to the EFF before the bang the door down... what's the annual licensing fee on GPL software again?

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