Viruses, hackers and governmental espionage have all threatened our sense of computer security and internet well-being. As a result, we’re beginning to question the way that we do things, including software development. Whether designing games or building a security platform, open source is paving the way to finding the solutions to our digital dilemmas.
When the Heartbleed bug was discovered, chills went down the spines of computer users everywhere. A vulnerability in the pervasive OpenSSL cryptographic software library, it has opened the most popular provider of communication security and privacy online to invasion from any front.
Also, in case you didn’t guess by the name, it’s an open source program.
Despite the fact that just about every internet user has used and benefited from OpenSSL, the project that developed it only receives about $2,000 in donations and has minimal support. Although any software development is bound to be plagued with bugs, minimal resources increase the chances of that happening exponentially.
In a move that indicates the growing importance of open source software, a number of corporate leaders are banding together to lend their support. Twelve tech giants, including names such as Google, Qualcomm, Intel and NetApp have each pledged $100,000 a year to fund open source projects, according to The Linux Foundation.
Along with a push to support the development of open source, the group is also encouraging all companies to consider funding open source options for their own businesses.
Open source has always been known as a wellspring of ingenuity and creativity. Partnered with public and corporate support and appreciation, it truly has the potential to transform our online experience, the way we do business and even the way we live our lives.
Although such events as the Heartbleed bug and government spying have shaken our foundations of electronic security, they have also revealed a need. This vital intervention finds its foundation in open source development, the solution to our digital dilemmas.