Amarok to Better Guard Against Potential Malware
To program an effective virus for Linux is fairly difficult. It's much easier to provide malware disguised as an add-on, however. The Amarok project now wants to protect against that.
Linux users are pretty easy going when it comes to Internet dangers, which can lead to trouble, as was recently revealed in an incident of malware disguised as a screensaver. It's easy to lean back and say, "well, it's your own fault that you downloaded a binary package without first looking at the source code." But the more Linux users there are, the higher the rate that programs are downloaded and installed without much forethought. Security tests may be available, but require a lot of work in view of the magnitude of uploads.
One of the first developers to address this problem is Mark Kretschmann, who recommended a solution for the KDE music player that other projects could also adopt. Even Amarok is an easy target for these attacks. The attacker needs just to disguise one as a "cool" add-on, which Kretschmann claims, for example, could completely wipe out your home directory.
He suggests, therefore, immediately using a version control system (VCS) for all scripts and add-ons. This might increase the entry barrier for prospective Amarok developers, but the detour through a VCS provides a better protection against what Kretschmann calls "crapware" scripts, because all programmers will then know that their code is being reviewed. The scripts in version control can then be downloaded via the Get Hot New Stuff (GHNS) framework in KDE, where additional security measures can be applied. Even if an author manages to inflict malware into the code, the suspect checking it in can still be traced.
Apart from guarding against malware, a mandatory VCS has the further benefit of removing "abandonware" (such as code that was forked and is no longer maintained) or giving it to someone else to maintain.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.