Malware In Space: Not A Science Fiction Drama Gone Wrong.

The International Space Station is making the switch from Windows XP to Debian, heeding the advice of Linux fans everywhere that say Linux is a more secure Operating System.

This switch was prompted by a 2008 incident where computers on the ISS were infected with a piece of malware. Specifically, the Gammina.AG virus, which found it's way onto the ISS by an infected flash drive carried by an astronaut. This event that happened in 2008 proves that malware can infect a machine anywhere, even in space.

NASA decided to go with Debian, a system that uses the Linux or the FreeBSD kernel. They decided on Debian because it is open source, meaning that trained astronauts can make changes to the operating system should they require a fix for a issue. They also picked Debian because the community overseeing Debian has a track record of being fast when it comes to resolving issues. For those who do not know, Debian is a Linux distribution that a few other Linux distributions such as Ubuntu are built on. Debian began in August 1993 as as a new operating system to be made openly in the spirit of Linux and GNU.

So, The ISS adopted Debian 6, and the Linux Foundation stepped in with two courses of tailored training that prepared the astronuts for devloping apps related to the needs of the ISS. And Debian is free, so the switch will not be costing the taxpayers much, if anything.

Thank You for reading this post. As always, I invite readers to comment if they have questions or comments.