“Compared to Windows, Linux has enjoyed a reputation as a stable
and secure operating systems, thanks in large part to an
enthusiastic open source community that plugs holes before they
create problems.“But Linux’s growing popularity is attracting unwanted attention
from virus writers, script kiddies and other criminal elements. In
response, Linux advocates are putting a new emphasis on security
measures and working to reassure companies that the OS is ready for
important business networks.“‘There has been a lot of change in the attractiveness of Linux
as a target,’ said Chad Dougherty, an Internet security analyst at
the CERT Coordination Center, which tracks OS vulnerabilities. ‘If
you look over time, there has been a consistent level of
vulnerabilities…'”