Is open source dangerous?

The multi-operating system worm, which spreads through OpenOffice files, has raised issues that have explored the security of open source software.

The Badbunny virus, which appeared at the end of May and was only being made experimentally at the time, attracted attention again earlier this week as it began to spread on the Internet. The most important feature of the malware is that it can run on Mac OS X and Linux operating systems in addition to Windows using various OpenOffice files. Antivirus companies have been constantly monitoring the worm’s path of conquest, and it has now been revealed that it has managed to prevent the pest from spreading more widely.

Although Badbunny did not cause much damage, it drew attention to an important issue. Namely, whether open source software such as OpenOffice can become a target for viruses. Ooi Su-Khiam, a security expert at Symantec, was quick to point out that open source applications don’t fundamentally pose a greater risk than other software. The expert sees that virus writers are primarily motivated by the fact that they can distribute their malware on platforms that are used by as many people as possible. That is, the popularity of operating systems and individual software is authoritative. It is also clear that the vulnerabilities also occur in programs whose source code is not available, such as Microsoft, Oracle, and so on. products also require the installation of bug fixes.

Ooi Su-Khiam said apparently virus writers are also striving to make their programs work on multiple platforms. In many developments, it is important to be able to run an application on Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X, as this significantly increases the value of the software. Thus, it can also be a defining goal for virus makers to be able to infect their pests on multiple platforms.