What does a Security Bar Mitzvah Look Like?

Dave G. | December 28th, 2005 | Filed Under: Defenses, Industry Punditry

There is was a time when Linux had a crappy security reputation (and with good reason). Same with Sendmail, bind, what have you. I think there is a security puberty that popular software products go through. Pimples. Wedgies. Getting picked on.

I think Microsoft is (still) going through this. I am not going to speculate too much on where it is, but its definitely heading towards adulthood. And since no one likes the popular kid (especially the wealthy one that drives a porsche to work), they will continue to have a rough time.

Things do get better as software is forced to mature. I think we are seeing that with Microsoft, and I suspect we will start seeing it with other vendors begin this awkward rite of adulthood. And to the next generation of kids, I hope you are studying!

To answer the question, it looks like any bar mitzvah. Clumsy with a dash of embarrassing. Dated even while it is happening.

4 Comments so far

  • Chris Walsh

    December 28th, 2005 4:02 pm

    It looks a hell of a lot better than a Security Bris ;^)

  • Anonymous

    December 28th, 2005 5:08 pm

    We know what that looks like: Blaster and Welchia.

  • Anonymous

    December 30th, 2005 8:44 am

    There is was a time when Linux had a crappy security reputation (and with good reason).

    Kernel-wise, things have never been so bad in Linux as they are today –see bid#16044, 16043, 16041, 15994, 15846, 15745, 15729, 15723, 15722, 15666, 15642, 15627, 15625, 15536, 15533, 15531, 15528, 15527, 15365, 15156, 15154, 15122, 15085, 15076, 15049, 14967, 14965, just to name a few.

    Actually, Linux 2.6 local security is so bad that it’s as if the developpers decided to stop caring about security entirely.

    Surprisingly, very few people seem to notice that Linux security is getting worse and worse with each release. and nobody makes fun of Linux’s insecurity, which is a shame :(

  • Dave G.

    January 2nd, 2006 2:43 pm

    Wirth the Linux kernel, I think we are seeing exactly what we saw in Linux userland in the mid 90s. Mazel Tov!

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