Security Log

Computerworld - Firefox Tops IE in Bug Count -- or Not

Symantec Corp.'s Internet Security Threat Report now features two ways of counting browser bugs. For vulnerabilities confirmed by the vendors, Mozilla Corp.'s Firefox was the leader in the second half of 2005, with 13. But when bugs that weren't vendor-confirmed were included, Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer led, with 24. The Mozilla Foundation had criticized Symantec's previous methodology because Microsoft tends to group vulnerabilities together, whereas Mozilla announces each one individually.

Botnets Targeted

Several security researchers have joined forces to try to find and disable the servers used by botmasters to control their botnets. They want Internet service providers and IT administrators to share information on botnet activity.

Security Bookshelf

Software Security: Building Security In, by Gary McGraw (Addison-Wesley Professional, 2006).

Building security into software is probably one of the more difficult practice areas of information security. McGraw explains the process and reviews the tools and methodologies for creating secure applications and auditing existing ones. The author's explanations of the current application security audit tools are very informative. This is a must-read for application developers and should be a standard title for all information security professionals.

-- Mathias Thurman

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