Microsoft hits new ethical low point?

[Niall Kavanagh]

On Mon, 19 Feb 2001, John Chambers wrote:

> 
> The reason is simple and obvious. If you install binary software, you
> have  no  way  of  knowing what is hidden inside it.  The programmers
> could have been paid by someone to install all  sorts  of  trapdoors,
> and you'll only learn about it when it's too late.
> 

An excellent point. Look at most Microsoft vulnerabilities discovered in
the wild: Found as a result of someone (be it a security expert or black
hat) tinkering. Who knows what else lurks within without the source?

Now look at the other side. The recent Interbase backdoor was found _in
the source_. This had been in the commercial product for YEARS without the
public's knowledge.

Granted, open source != instantly secure. There are a lot of problems
found the old fashioned way; tinkering. I for one like to stack the deck
to my advantedge whenever possible, which means using code that has been
eyeballed by many, and more importantly, by peeps who are _not_ the actual
developers.

Speaking of stacking decks... anyone up for poker? ;)

--
Niall Kavanagh, niall at kst.com
News, articles, and resources for web professionals and developers:
http://www.kst.com


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