Even if it's just a short-lived reprieve, Microsoft must be relieved to see the debate shift to whether the open-source community can respond to security flaws as quickly and effectively as proprietary software vendors.
MS vs. open source: Security's the same
Microsoft has its share of security problems--but so does the open source community. Wayne Rash says neither has the edge when it comes to fixing flaws.
Open sourcers wear the white hats
Bruce Perens, an open source advocate, says the open source model is better for finding security flaws, but a more formal process could be even better.
Too much trust in open source?
Open-source developers have been complacent that their programs are more secure than proprietary software. Recently discovered flaws suggest that open-source applications are just as vulnerable.
March 20, 2002
Reader: "Windows is a victim of its popularity"
Mark Cochran says that because Microsoft is so big, it's a bigger target for hackers. But he doesn't think proprietary or open source is the issue--the fault lies elsewhere.
