Increased security through open source

In this paper we discuss the impact of open source on both the security and transparency of a software system. We focus on the more technical aspects of this issue, combining and extending arguments developed over the years. We stress that our discussion of the problem only applies to software for general purpose computing systems. For embedded systems, where the software usually cannot easily be patched or upgraded, different considerations may apply

An Evaluation Of Perceived Safety Of Free Software: The Brafs Model

This dissertation explores the perceived safety of free software and its relationship with the intention to use this technology in a business setting. The newly created construct of perceived safety is developed out of the theory of planned behavior. It is researched, scrutinized, and refined according to academic guidelines and two different environmental settings. The constructs that impact perceived safety and its relationship with intention to use consist of technology perceived risk, technology trusting beliefs, expected financial utility, and perceived adverse impact on professional reputation. Each construct consists of multiple operationalized elements. To explore this empirically, beneficial and risk measurements have been adapted from relevant literature in information systems/technology, management, risk, financial, and psychology academic publications. Three pilot studies were done in sequence among a student population before the instrument was tested among a main study that consisted of individuals with the ability to make software decisions for a nonprofit organization. The results suggest that perceived safety is needed in order for the intention to use free software in business, and that this relationship is impacted through various benefits and risks constructs. The study raises a number of opportunities to be explored and debated by future research, both in the realm of free software and beyond