United We Fall

United We Fall
Jon Lasser, 2002-06-05

The United Linux distribution will introduce thousands of open-source fans to the security nightmare of a software monoculture.

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Wilderbeast security 2002-06-05
Anonymous

Sounds like you rely too much on hiding in the crowd for your security. ("Maybe the lion will eat one of the OTHER wilderbeasts!") On the internet, the benefits of that are quite limited. After all, your server has one of a bazillion possible IP addresses, and that doesn't provide much security, ...

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United We Fall 2002-06-05
runix (1 replies)

I don't agree with you that if one distribution becomes a standard it will be bad for security..
I agree that they should have a better security team, but.. have you seen a lot of worms for solaris, freebsd, openbsd?

Every box that runs openbsd is configured (by default) exactly as any other and...

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United We Fall 2002-06-06
Trbonja

Well...It will be very bad for Microsoft. It's sad to see that security focus has so many "Microsfters".
Why dont you compare default configuration of any windows with IIS and United Linux project. Only thing that I hate with linux is no standard at all, and that is about to change....

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United We Fall 2002-06-06
Jocko Johnson

I think this article is more hyperbole than fact. FreeBSD is a singular body making well, FreeBSD and it has a better security track record than Linux. I think a Unified Linux might actually work towards a better security model. What really needs to be done is an audit like the BSD's have done, b...

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United We Fall 2002-06-06
Gil

It appears Linux is becoming more mature. It's management less obscure. As your risks become centralized they would become less difficult to control to more people. When only a relatively small number of people really know how to secure Linux well, that leaves the others either unsecured or using ot...

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Security Collaboration 2002-06-06
DKode

I understand the point of your article, although I don't completely agree.

I agree that having shared binaries/libraries will make it easier for crackers/hackers to gain access to machines. But it is a double edged sword. In having all the same binaries/libraries it might also make it easier for ...

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United We Fall 2002-06-06
Anonymous

Give me a break. A single compatible across the board OS can be just as secure. OpenBSD has been secure by default for longer than any other OSS Project. Only an idiot doesn't believe that standardization leads to better security....

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United We Fall 2002-06-06
Anonymous

Watch the mail Jonnie, your check from MicroSoft (TM) will be here soon...

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Lasser is barking up the wrong tree 2002-06-07
FudgeFactor7 (1 replies)

So, what you're saying is that Linux has no *real* security, but rather hides in its myriad versions, revisions, and configurations; and therefore, in your mind, centralizing and standardizing will expose Linux as insecure? Interesting. Only time will tell, but if you're right, then Microsoft will p...

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Lasser is barking up the wrong tree 2002-06-12
Anonymous

There are several windows implementatinos (NT, 2K, XP) and these differences in binaries do not seem to improve the security at all.

Security through obscurity is an invalid concept. Harden your box or get off the net....

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Can you bitch anymore!!! 2002-06-08
Anonymous

Really....

Everyone hates Micro$oft that's a given. But everyone talks about a standardized Linux to help the Open Source movement. But now there's United Linux, and now everyone is bitching that it will create common security holes that people can exploit just like Micro$oft. You people have th...

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Clueless? Like for sure! 2002-06-10
Wrong Sector, Write Time

It seems again our friend Lasser has yet to walk outside and notice there are things outside the commericial hype and security focus articles. Jon... jesus man! Look around! How many different distributions have tried to be top dog? Do you think a colaboration between a bunch of losers (in the a...

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United We Fall 2002-06-11
Anonymous

This must have been a gag article ... Lasser can't be serious....

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United We Fall 2002-06-12
blacklight

United Linux will pay the price for ubiquity, assuming that United Linux gains the widest distribution - a huge assumption considering the realities of the Linux market. I select distros based on how well integrated their components are, and how aggressive the vendors are with security and QA issue...

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