How To Argue That Open Source Software Is Secure?

Smidge207 writes "Lately there has been a huge push by Certified Microsoft Professionals and their companies to call (potential) clients and warn them of the dangers of open source. This week I received calls from four different customers saying that they were warned that they are dangerously insecure because they run open source operating systems or software, because 'anyone can read the code and hack you with ease.' Other colleagues in the area also have noticed that three local Microsoft Partners have been trying to strike fear in the minds of companies that respond, 'Yes, we use open source or Linux' when the sales call comes in. I know this is simply a sales tactic by these companies, but how do I fix the damage these tactics cause? I have several customers who now want more than my word about the security of systems that have worked for them flawlessly for 5-6 years, with minimal expense outside of upgrades and patching for security. Does anyone have a good plan or sources of reliable information that can be used to inform the customer?"

Comments

Re:That's a new low

[Ethanol-fueled]

Heh, and I wondered why I was modded down for saying "Vista sucks" on a Win 7 thread on Slashdot. Ya'd think that it would garner an immediate +5 common sense. Cue the shills.

Re:That's a new low

[Toe, The]

Check out the moderation on this admitted (though somewhat true) flamebait.

At the moment, it's reading:
Moderation -1
    40% Flamebait
    30% Troll
    30% Insightful

Mission accomplished. :)

Re:That's a new low

[djupedal]

You know, at first I thought the MS trolls were harvesting mod points by shear numbers, and then sharing logons' from one shift to another. With their current alacrity, it appears ./ administration has simply configured specific accounts with an unlimited supply of daggers, with shift-sharing tactics still in place.

They don't have to invent new attacks in general, just tweak their tried/true 'turfing slander tactics for the /. environ and hand out assignments. What a way to earn a living...for both parties involved, eh Dawson?

Re:That's a new low

[djupedal]

And the trolls shell out more and more mod points...mission accomplished - keep it up, guys! You're not soldiers, you're just recruits...hehehe 'karma: excellent'.