Real World Linux Security Prentice Hall Ptr Open Source Technology Series

A.9 Vendor Software and Updates

Details on various Linux vendor (distributions) updates are listed here. Most vendors and organizations providing free open-source products have Web sites (either HTTP or FTP) that provide updates and bug fixes in a timely manner.

A.9.1 Red Hat

Red Hat is very good about making updates and patches available on its Web site and gives a great deal of details regarding problems and fixes and it is prompt. Updates and patches are available for download from

www.redhat.com/support/errata/

www.redhat.com/support/

ftp://updates.redhat.com/

A.9.2 Slackware

Updates and patches are available for download from

ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/linux/slackware/slackware-current/patches/^[1]

^[1] Formerly ftp://ftp.cdrom.com and a different path.

If you supplied your e-mail address when you purchased a recent Slackware distribution at www.slackware.com (formerly www.cdrom.com), they will send you e-mail regarding the availability of new important security patches and other patches and updates.

This author is impressed with the low bug rate he has experienced with the Slackware distribution.

It would be a good idea to also watch the sites

www.slackware.com/lists/

www.slackware.org/

A.9.3 SuSE

Most people know that SuSE is the most popular distribution in Europe. Its security information may be found at

www.suse.de/security/index.html

A.9.4 Mandrake

The Mandrake home site and update link (in English) are at

www.linux-mandrake.com/

www.linux-mandrake.com/en/fupdates.php3

A.9.5 Caldera

The Caldera home site is

www.caldera.com/

A.9.6 Debian

The Debian home site is

www.debian.org/

A.9.7 Yellow Dog

Yellow Dog errata is available from

www.yellowdoglinux.com/resources/