Globe and Mail: Linux Whimsy Belies Solid Security

“An operating system that provides a software platform for
running all kinds of computer systems, Linux was created as an
alternative to commercial software by Mr. Torvalds, a Finnish
programmer, with the help of computer experts from all over the
world.

“But this freely available operating system that has evolved in
the geeky Internet culture of hackers and computer programming
enthusiasts may prove to be more secure and robust than many pieces
of commercial software designed specifically for the corporate
world, according to Chris Pratt, Linux manager for Markham,
Ont.,-based IBM Canada Ltd.

“This is because Linux, unlike other operating systems that keep
their proprietary software code under wraps, makes its code
available for all to see and test for potential security flaws,
says Mr. Pratt, whose company is one of many vendors now promoting
Linux as a solid business platform.

“‘It’s a Darwinian approach. The strongest code survives. It is
highly open to those trying to protect it and those trying to
attack it. This enormous level of peer scrutiny means that the code
that’s put out is of extremely high quality…'”

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