In this article we are going to inquire about the security vulnerabilities of Linux.
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In this article we are going to inquire about the security vulnerabilities of Linux.
Linux as a programming language obviously brought us a big change. When Linus Torvalds created Linux years ago he did not have any idea how it is going to rule the developer world in the time to come. Linux is now literally dominating online world and the world if mobile apps as the most versatile, flexible and fast paced OS platform. But in spite of do much Linux can offer, often experts complain about its security weaknesses. As web security is continuing to remain a big concern for developers, businesses and users, the security flaw of Linux is continuing as a pulling factor.
Where Linux stands in the war between security vs. stability and performance
Why Linux continued to thrive in all these years? Well, it is mainly because of the tremendous focus it received in respect of performance and reliability. It is understandable that more security features could slow down the performance to a certain extent. The tremendous stability that helped it work on any chipset in the world could not be so with more security features. Even after admitting these things we must refer to the security vulnerabilities that many developers and experts point out. Many argues that Linux is too passive when it comes to security arrangements.
In this respect what the maker of this OS Mr. Trovalds said is quite alarming. He is said to have insisted that security is not very important for Linux and it should only be weighed against other aspects like speed, stability and performance. So, the fat that Linux will have security flaws was obvious from the very early. Now the question is, what are the biggest security flaws of this worldwide popular OS.
A big incident showing the flaw of Linux
When a meltdown inside a nuclear power plant killed millions of people and the possible connection with the flaw in Linux kernel was established as the principal cause, the world observed how such security flaw can actually prove to be dangerous for an entire population.
The key security flaws of Linux
The center of the problem is the security vulnerability within the kernel of Linux OS. As the single most important operating system running millions of computers, servers, majority of supercomputers and Android smartphones, the risk of the kernel puts many systems into great risk. For example, from the Stock Exchange offices in US to the large supercomputers in large tech companies, Linux runs the majority of machines and that makes the entire data driven business process, finance and public administration vulnerable to security threats.
With malwares attacking Linux OS several times in the past, the vulnerabilities are now well known and the new upsurge of mobility with Linux based Android only added to the challenges and security threats. But in spite of these threats and an array of security breaches across devices and interfaces, the performance, stability and reliability of Linux made it the most preferred operating system till date for enterprise operations, servers and mobile platforms.
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