From the course: Protecting Your Network with Open Source Software

What is open-source software?

From the course: Protecting Your Network with Open Source Software

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What is open-source software?

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- [Narrator] Source code refers to the lines of a computer program. Therefore, open source literally means, software whose source code is open to the public. Open source licensing allows users to modify or extend the existing code, as long as they keep its new versions, open source. Please note that, being open source isn't the same as free of charge. Many vendors out there keep some or all of their product code open source, but still sell their software with a price tag. Nessus, which is another Vulnerability Management System or VMS, is a good example. It started as an open source project but eventually evolved into a commercial product. Luckily for us, most of the software applications featured in this course are both open source and free. Open source software users need to accept the specific terms of a license. There is no restriction on how you use your open source software, but some open source licenses require users to release their changes if they modify or extend the original code. Others also require making the modified or extended code available free of charge. The use of open-source software in networking and network security is substantial. One such example is Linux. Many service providers use Linux to run their backend systems such as web servers and Base Operating Systems to host virtual machines. The Global Open Source Software Market is growing fast. Many major corporations are contributing to the open source community. Therefore, learning open source options is critical for students and professionals who aspire to excel and networking or network security. Open source solutions are still relevant even if you're not an it professional. If you're a home user or small business owner who wants to strengthen your network security without a hefty price tag, you're taking the right course. I'm thrilled to be your guide for an exciting journey throughout this course.

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