The term 'backporting' describes when we take a fix for a security issue out of the most recent version of a product, and apply that fix to an older version.

Backporting is common practice amongst software vendors such as Red Hat and is essential to ensuring that we can deploy automated updates on systems. However, backporting has not been given much attention and will be a new concept to people more familiar with proprietary software.

Linux security is as strong as ever, despite recent statistics that say otherwise.
Perhaps in response to the excessive publicity given to the strong security associated with Linux and open source software, it's no surprise that a number of commentators are making a high-profile argument that Linux, just like every other platform, does indeed have security issues. Members of the open source community have always known that Linux is not immune from security threats, so there is no argument there. What is in question is the final conclusion that these commentators are drawing, which is that Linux is less secure than Microsoft Windows.

Safe computing outside the corporate perimeter
Employees logging into corporate networks from home PCs over public broadband connections are now commonplace. As a result, security software and hardware that once did a fine job of guarding sensitive systems looks increasingly vulnerable. That's because all these remote networkers, be they employees or partners, are no longer snuggly inside the "official" data-security perimeter.

The challenges to info-tech security will surely be daunting, and companies' efforts to stay safe will have to keep increasing.
With holiday cookies and sweets still being shared around offices everywhere, security is the least of concerns these days as most businesses are thinking merry, not wary. So what better time to examine the year ahead for what to expect in terms of computer security? First, 2003 will surely pose some pretty daunting challenges to chief security officers and the organizations they protect. At the same time, improvements in software and technology will elevate computer security to another level. Here's a quick rundown of what to expect: