Fairfax IT: Security scare as outsiders get access to NetBSD software password | Linux Today

Fairfax IT: Security scare as outsiders get access to NetBSD software password

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Jun 8, 2000

“Developers of the NetBSD open source operating system say a
recent security breach did not compromise the software’s source
code.”

“NetBSD developer and project spokesman Charles Hannum has
confirmed that a key developer’s password was “discovered” by
outsiders.”

The password would have given hackers the opportunity to
impersonate Paul Vixie, a leading developer with the right to make
changes to the source code for the software, although not
directly.

“In an e-mail interview, Hannum maintained that an extensive
review did not find any proof that Vixie’s account had been used
“other than a simple probe to see whether the password was used”.
Under the open source system used by NetBSD, developers such as
Vixie would contribute changes and improvements.”

Complete
Story

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

Linux Today Logo

LinuxToday is a trusted, contributor-driven news resource supporting all types of Linux users. Our thriving international community engages with us through social media and frequent content contributions aimed at solving problems ranging from personal computing to enterprise-level IT operations. LinuxToday serves as a home for a community that struggles to find comparable information elsewhere on the web.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.