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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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How do we know if there aren't a bunch of more undetected backdoors? (lemdro.id)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by mfat@lemdro.id to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I have been thinking about self-hosting my personal photos on my linux server. After the recent backdoor was detected I'm more hesitant to do so especially because i'm no security expert and don't have the time and knowledge to audit my server. All I've done so far is disabling password logins and changing the ssh port. I'm wondering if there are more backdoors and if new ones are made I can't respond in time. Appreciate your thoughts on this for an ordinary user.

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[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 14 points 8 months ago (3 children)

We don't know. But if there were well known backdoors to mainstream security practices we might see more companies that depend on security shutting down, or at least shutting down their online activities. Banks, stock trading, crypto exchanges, other enterprises that handle money, where hacking would be lucrative.

[–] taladar@sh.itjust.works 7 points 8 months ago

I don't think you need to worry about backdoors with most of those. Worry more about unfixed security holes due to an extreme emphasis on "stability" as in using old versions when fixes have already been released when it comes to anything hosted by large companies.

[–] wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 8 months ago

There's a concept of acceptable levels of risk. Companies are not going to shut down out of fear, or miss out on the business opportunities of online presence. There's money to be made.

Even with things as serious as spectre allowing full dumping of CPU and RAM contents simply by loading a website, I can't think of a single company that just said "well shit, better just die".

Serious, potentially business ending, security issues usually have a huge amount of effort when discovered put into mitigations and fixes. Mitigations are usually enough in the immediate "oh shit" phase. Defense in depth is standard practice.

[–] mfat@lemdro.id 3 points 8 months ago

There are several known instaces of crypto exchages getting hacked.