Mozilla Corp. today released updated versions of the Firefox browser, v1.5.0.10 and v2.0.0.2, for Windows, Mac, and Linux,  in an effort to close a major security flaw called the "location.hostname vulnerability." The fix blocks hackers from being able to tamper with how websites are displayed.

For users looking to enhance  their computers' security, is Vista really the way to go? Or can Linux offer greater protection from hacker attacks? In the face of viruses, worms or other breaches, the answer is clear. Or isn't it ? Let's see some pros and cons.

Oracle made public a periodical patch update on Tuesday containing 51 fixes, one less than initially expected.

The January 2007 update http://www.oracle.com/technology/deploy/security/critical-patch-updates/cpujan2007.html contains security bug fixes that deal with vulnerabilities in an ample range of Oracle enterprise software products including flaws in Oracle Database, Application Server, Enterprise Manager, Identity Management, E-Business Suite, Developer Suite, and the PeopleSoft software packages.

Linux.com readers might know Kurt Seifried as the author of the Linux Administrators' Security Guide or proprietor of the popular security mailing list. In this interview, he gives his views on how security in Linux has been stacking up and where it's lacking, what users can do to secure their systems, and whether every admin needs to know much about security.

Paradial pronounced the general availability of Paradial's RealTunnel 2.0. In addition to making it simple for clients to deliver fail-safe and secure connections across networks, geographical areas and organizational boundaries, the new version enhances the award winning product with new features and standards-based provisioning capabilities on a significantly reduced footprint.

Verano, Inc., the SCADA security company, declared that itsReal-Time Application Platform (RTAP) on Linux is now available with aWindows client, Visualizer for RTAP on Linux. Verano's very scalable,mission-critical SCADA application now has the consistency of a Linux server joined with the flexibility and familiarity of a Windows-based operator interface available on low-cost, high performance hardware.

The Month of Kernel Bugs has so far produced a list of 22 operating system bugs. Linux leads in the statistics; nevertheless the bugs found are mostly susceptible only to denial of service attacks by local users.

Grisoft's release of two new versions of its AVG security tools for open source operating systems Linux and FreeBSD recommend that there's nowhere secure to hide from computer viruses anymore.

Red Hat has declared the availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Beta 2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5, to be released in early 2007, will offer open source technologies designed to improve performance, security and flexibility. With a sustained focus on technology intended to drive costs out of deploying and managing infrastructure software, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 will deliver complete integration for commercial-strength Linux virtualization in an x86 server environment.

The Metasploit project, which aims to permit plug-and-play exploiting for penetration testers and researchers, will add the capability to attack the wireless functionality of Windows and Linux operating systems, founder HD Moore said on his blog this week.