Re: which is more secure; Linux or FreeBSD?

> NotGiven wrote:
>
>> I don't know much about either, just want your knowledgeable
>> experience & opinions
>
> In general terms, NetBSD comes more locked down than most
> distribution. If memory serves it forces you through a series of
> security validation "style" steps before letting you access the web.
> Again -- that's if memory serves.

The system that is secured to have virtually all network services
turned off by default is OpenBSD.

NetBSD and FreeBSD don't have the same particular sort of "paranoia."

It isn't really fair to draw any conclusions at all about Linux, per
se; unlike FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD, which are more or less
integrated systems complete with init and the contents of /bin, /sbin,
/usr/bin, /lib, Linux is merely an operating system kernel, which
doesn't function without the userspace that someone else adds.

There are numerous different userspaces that different organizations
have constructed to run atop Linux, each with varying sorts of
security policies.

There is no single conclusion to be drawn, comparing Linux to FreeBSD,
because they are "apples and oranges." Linux needs things added on in
order to get something meaningfully comparable to FreeBSD, and since
different flavours of Linux distributions add *DIFFERENT* things on,
or at least different default configurations, the question is
something of a nonsequitor.

Compare Debian to FreeBSD, or SuSE version X, or Fedora Core Version Y
to FreeBSD, but not Linux.
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