Next Linux kernel "securer than Windows"
POSSIBLY STUNG by accusations that Linux may not after all have the edge over Windows in the security stakes, the open source platform's backers seem to be doing all they can to talk up its "trustworthy" credentials.
Colorado-based developer Jonathan Corbet used Australia's annual Linux wonkfest this week to assure security-minded users in the business community that the next release of the platform's kernel will include support for trusted computing.
The current kernel, 2.6.11, will soon be succeeded by 2.6.12, which will also incorporate support for so-called SELinux (security enhanced Linux) for multi-level security.
Also aimed at making Linux more enticing for business users will be input from leading commercial Linux distributor Red Hat on address space randomization for defence against buffer overflow attacks, and support for high end storage systems.