Perhaps I need a better understanding of what open source means, but how can a program that is openly publishing its code not be super vulnerable to cyber security threats. That’s like a bank publishing exactly how all it’s security works right? Obviously I’m missing something here, so ELI5!
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The idea is that by being open sourced, everyone can look at the code and see where the vulnerabilities are and will try to fix it. If there is one hacker who finds an exploit, there will probably be dozens of people who found it also and have a patch for it. That’s one way of open source being more secured.
The other way is that the original developer can decide how the patches and improvements are delivered to the customers. Some (most) developers require patches and improvements be submitted back to the developer, so they can be examined before being pushed to the customers.
People can certainly create a copy of the software using the original source code that then contain malicious codes. However, it wouldn’t be the original software anymore, but a fork.
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