This document is a technical report on the Open Source Plagiarism Tester project submitted in partial fulfillment of an industrial project course. It discusses various aspects of open source software including defining OSS, advantages and disadvantages, support, licensing structures, standards, computer and information security threats, and countermeasures. The conclusion is that OSS is software with freely available source code that can be modified and improved by programmers to share with others.

1. WORD DOCUMENT
OPEN SOURCE PLIGIARISM-TECHNICAL REPORT1
by
NAME OF THE AUTHOR
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the subject
INDUSTRIAL PROJECT IV
As part of the Open Source Plagiarism Tester (OSPT) project
in the
FACULTY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Project Leader
M Jordaan
Date
13 April 2010

2. DECLARATION
“I hereby declare that the OSPT WORD DOCUMENT: OSPT TECHNICAL
REPORT submitted for evaluation towards the requirements of the subject:
INDUSTRIAL PROJECT IV IPRB401 as part of the Open Source Plagiarism
Tester project, at the Tshwane University of Technology, is my own original
work and has not previously been submitted to any other institution of higher
learning or subject for evaluation. All sources used or quoted in this document
are indicated and acknowledged by means of a comprehensive list of
references”.
NAME AND STUDENT NUMBER
Date: _13_/_04_/__2010__

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figure Description Page
1. Introduction 1
2. Discussion of each aspects 2
2.1 Define OSS 2
2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of OSS 3
2.2.1 Advantages of OSS 3
2.2.2 Disadvantages of OSS 3
2.3 OSS Support 4
2.4 OSS Licensing Structure 4
&5
2.5 OSS Standards 5
2.6 Define Computer and Information Security 6
2.6.1 Define Computer Security 6
2.6.2 Define Information Security 6
2.7 All types of threats to a computer system 7
2.8 All types of countermeasures 8
3. Conclusion 9
4. References 10

5. 1. Introduction
According to Ueda (Ueda, 2005), In 1985 the Free Software Foundation
(FSF) was formed that is where the free software was defined. Open Source
Software (OSS) was formed in 1998 by the Open Source Initiative (OSI)
members. These two organisations grouped themselves together and formed
Open Software Society. FSF members defines the Free Software as a
software where users will be able to run, copy, distribute, study, change and
improve the software.
The OSI members define Open Source Software as software for which the
source code is distributed, accessible without charge or limitations on
modifications and programmers can read, copy, modify, improve, adapt it and
fix bugs. The software can be incrementally improved and easily tested.
Users are free to make improvements and redistribute the source code as
long as they follow the licensing rules. OSS development encourages the free
flow of knowledge; every individual can build on the work of others on the
network.
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6. 2. Discussion of each aspect
2.1 Define Open Source Software
Erikson (2005:927), states that for people to understand OSS they must first
understand what Source Code is, he describes the Source Code as program
written by a programmer before it is compiled into a machine executable.
“OSS is when developers share a program’s code with one another to allow
others to learn from the software, distribute it, modify and improve the
software”(Erickson, 2005).
Kavanagh (2004:1) describes OSS as software that must be distributed with
the source code easily available. E.g. by free download from the internet and
the license of this software will allow anyone to distribute the code or modify
it. “Open Source Software is the software for which the source code is
publicly revealed which means that it can be modified by anyone redistribute
freely and is available at no charge”(DeLong, 2004).
Kasper (2004:112) defines OSS as software distributed under a license
allowing free copying, modifications of the program, and free redistribution of
the source code and also allows users to obtain the program code then
compile it and use the program as they want. (Edwards, 2004)
According to Bruce and Raymond the OSI team members (quoted by Ueda,
2005:1) describes OSS definition that includes several criteria, which the
software must meet are as follows:
 Free Redistribution – This means that anyone can make any number
of copies of the software at no cost and sell them or give them away.
 Source Code – The source code must be distributed with original work.
 Derived works – The license must allow for modification and the
modified work must be redistributed under the original license terms.
 Integrity of the author’s source code – Modifications of the original
work may be restricted.
 Everyone should have access
 Distribution of License – No additional license must be required to
those whom received the program because the rights attached to the
program must comply with all.
 License must not be specific to a product – If the program is separated
from the original open source software that program must be
redistributed under the original license.
 License must be neutral – The license must not force the other
software being distributed on the same medium to be open source.
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7. 2.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of OSS
2.2.1 Advantages of OSS
According to Kavanagh (2004:41) the advantages of using OSS include the
ability to:
 View, change and redistribute source code
 Reduce software licensing cost and effort
I also think that the following are also the advantages of OSS
 It is free, available and anyone has got access to it and at no cost.
 Software can be used by anyone.
 It gives users the rights to modify and improve the code.
 It allows programmers to implement new features and security fixes.
2.2.2 Disadvantages of OSS
According to Kavanagh (2004:41) the disadvantages of using OSS:
 It is not secure and there is no enough support.
 It is not possible to know if the project will reach a usable stage.
 There is no much advertising for OSS.
 There may be issues with the source code.
 Lack of skills
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8. 2.3 OSS Support
OSS has been increasingly part of the market in recent times. Companies
such as IBM have been backing up OSS to improve the position of OSS to
the extent that corporate world and now people are seeing OSS as a viable
option.
According to DeLong (2004:9), the following are the supporters of OSS:
 Software Users – they see an opportunity of the free software
 Software developers - they benefit from writing the software
 IBM – as a competitive company against other companies
 Distributors of open source programs they see an open source
software as a business opportunity
2.4 OSS Licensing Structure
A license is an agreement between the user and the developer on how that
software can be acquired and used. When the software is installed the
user/developer will click on “I Agree” button to agree to the End User License
Agreement. Open source licenses are approved by OSI.
According to (DeLong, 2004), the most two important OSS licenses are
Berkeley Software Development (BSD) and General Public License (GPL),
Delong (2004:17) describes these licenses as follows: BSD it allows
redistribution, use of the source code and object code modifications as long
as the redistribution of source code retains required copyright and
disclaimers. GPL stipulates that not only the source code need to be
available, but also the program can be modified and redistributed as long as
the redistributed program is given to GPL.
“The license must not restrict anyone from making use of a program in a
specific field; it must not restrict other software, must not be specific to a
product and must be technology-neutral. The rights attached to the program
must not depend on the program’s being part of a particular software
distribution. The license must keep the source code open and available, and
must maintain the integrity of the author’s source code. The license must not
restrict anyone from selling the software; it must allow modifications and must
allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the
original software. Mozilla Public License (MPL) is made by Netscape to
distribute the code of Mozilla. NPL and MPL require that any and all changes
must be available” (Perens, 1999).
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9. Henley (2007:78), states that the GPL protects the following essential
freedoms identified by FSF which are:
 To study how the software works, run it and adapt it
 To redistribute the copies of the software and improve it
Edwards (2004:114) explains the GPL as the license that requires the source
code to be available, allows people to use it, copy, distribute and modify the
source code and BSD allows a user-developer to distribute the modifications
and a modified program under a different license code.
2.5 OSS Standards
“A Standard is a specific category of information technology that is defined by
an open source public specification. Open Source Standards repository is a
location that will contain standards relevant to the open source community.
This will include standards, licenses and protocols. The purpose of open
source standard is to increase a market for Technology by enabling
consumers and suppliers of that technology to invest in it without paying any
fee”(Cerri, 2007).
To comply with open source standard the following criteria must be followed:
 The standard must be open to everybody
 The Standard must be freely and publicly available to the people
 No Agreements – There must be no requirements for execution of the
license agreement
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10. 2.6 Define Computer and Information Security
2.6.1 Computer Security
According to Dulaney (2008:3), Computer Security is protection of information
and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster while allowing the
information and property to remain accessible and productive to its intended
users. It is also a collective processes and mechanisms by which sensitive
and valuable information is protected against tampering, publication or
unauthorised access. Computer Security is also used to protect any damage
that can be caused by intruders or any unauthorised access. Several forms of
damage are:
Destruction of computer systems and internal data:
 Loss of sensitive information
 Use of sensitive information against the organization’s customers,
which may result in legal action and loss of customers
 Damage due to the reputation of an organization
2.6.2 Information Security
Dulaney (2008:3), explains Information Security as the process to protect
data against unauthorised use or access.
The five pillars of Information Security according to Von Solms (2000:7-19):
 Identification and Authentication – When a person wants to
use/access/logon to the computer system the user must first be
identified and authenticated.
 Authorisation – Once the user has been authorised and authenticated
the user will now request access to some resource such as
transaction, file or program, then this process will check if the user has
right to access the requested resource.
 Confidentiality – This process means protecting the confidentiality of
data and software to ensure that only authorised people may access
/view the contents of the data or software.
 Integrity – This means protecting the integrity of the data and software
to ensure that only authorised users may change the contents of the
data or software.
 Non- denial – Whereby a sender of a data is provided with a proof of
delivery and the recipient is assured of the sender’s identity so that
afterwards none of them can deny having processes data.
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11. 2.7 All types of computer threats
There are different types of threats to computers and when these threats are
successful they can harm or spread through the entire network.
Dulaney (2008:81-92) defines the following types of threats:
 Viruses – A virus is software that is designed to harm or infect a
computer system and it may damage the data on the hard disk,
destroy the operating system and spread through the open shares on
the network and this may cause a computer to crash. Viruses may get
into the computer through the external drives or through e-mail and as
part of another program. Viruses try to infect as many machine as they
can and as quickly as possible.
 Spam – is any unwanted e-mails or programs.
 Trojan horse – Are programs that enter the system or network through
another programs and it may attach itself or enter during the
installation program.
 Logic Bombs – Are programs that execute when a certain predefined
event occurs. When a user is logged onto the internet it may send the
user a message of attack using a word processor.
 Worms – It can reproduce itself because it is self contained and it does
not need a host application to be transported.
 Phishing – Is a form of social engineering in which you simply ask
someone for information that is missing by making it look as if it is a
legitimate request, an e-mail might look as if it is from the bank and
contain some basic information such as user’s name, contact numbers.
 Fraud – Is when someone tries to access other people transactions
and steal the information or maybe trying to steal the money from other
people’s bank accounts.
 Social Engineering – Is the process in which an attacker attempts to
acquire information about your network and system by social means
such as talking to people in the organisation.
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12. 2.8 All types of Countermeasures
(Dulaney, 2008:89-92) explains the types of countermeasures as follows:
 Anti Virus Software – is an application that is installed on the system to
protect that system against worms, viruses, and Trojan horses and it is
software that is also used to scan for malicious code. The Anti Virus
software on the machine must always be current and the virus
definition files should always be up to date. “The primary method of
preventing the propagation of malicious code involves the use of anti
virus software”, (Dulaney, 2008:89).
 Anti Spyware software – is software used to prevent or detect spyware
on the computer system.
 Intrusion Detection System – It is a security system that detects
malicious activity on a computer or network, once a possible intrusion
is detected IDS system will send an alert to Administrator to take
action.
 Firewall – It is used to protect the resources of a private network from
users to other network and it prevents the outsiders from accessing
private data and keeps out and unwanted traffic.
 Intrusion Prevention System – It is used to identify potential threats
and monitors traffic by dropping a malicious packets and block network
traffic from the IP address or port.
 Anti Spam software – It is used to prevent spam from entering the
system.
 Security Management – It monitors and controls the organization’s
security services, distributes security information and reports security
events.
 Patch Management – The process of reviewing, testing or deployment
of software patches to all systems.
 Vulnerability assessment –Scanning for systems that maybe
vulnerable to exploit.
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13. 3. Conclusion
(Kavanagh, 2004) states that Open Source Software is a software developed
by programmers and is free to the public. Several licensing agreements have
been developed to formalize distribution terms. OSS is software that has
been released under a license which requires the distribution of the software’s
source code. It is often available at no cost and is supported by developers
and many people use it.
OSS is software where the source code is freely available which is open to
the public. It can be distributed to anyone for modifications and
improvements. “Computer Security is a branch of information technology
known as information security as applied to computer and networks”(Von
Solms, 2000). “There are different types of threats to computers and the
countermeasures must be applied in order to be able to prevent the threats
from attacking the computer systems”(Dulaney, 2008).
I believe that Open Source is software where the source code is freely
available to the general public for use and programmers can improve the
source code and share the changes with others. Users are free to read, make
improvements, modify and redistribute the source code. OSS is free but
product like Microsoft is not free because the User will only receive a
compiled version of the software, modification and improvements are not
allowed Microsoft source code is closed. OSS generally allows anyone to
use, change, modify and improve the software and to redistribute it in
modified and unmodified forms and share it with others
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14. 4. References
 CERRI, D. 2007. The Journal of systems and software. Open
Standards, open formats, and open source: 1930 -1937. [Online]
Available from: http//www.Sciencedirect.com [Accessed: 03/04/2010].
 DELONG, J. V. 2004. The progress and Freedom Foundation. The
Enigma of Open Source Software: 1-47. [Online] Accessed from: http//
www.scirus.com [Accessed: 08/04/2010].
 DULANEY, E. 2008. CopmTIA Security+. In: KELLUM, J. (Ed.).
Identifying Potential Risks (Fourth ed., 81-92). Canada: Swadley, R &
Wikert, J.B.
 EDWARDS, K. 2004. Telematics and Informatics. An economic
perspective on software licenses - open source, maintainers and user-
developers: 111-133. [Online] Available from:
http//www.Sciencedirect.com [Accessed: 03/04/2010].
 ERICKSON, B. 2005. The Role of Open Source Software in
Innovation and Standardization in Radiology. Open Source Software,
2:927-931. [Online] Available from: http//www.Sciencedirect.com
[Accessed: 03/04/2010].
 HENLY, M. 2007. Computer Law and Security Report. Open Source
Software, 24(1):77-85. [Online] Available from:
http//www.Sciencedirect.com [Accessed: 03/04/2010].
 KAVANAGH, P. 2004. Implementation and Management. Open
Source Software: Definitions and History: 1-17. [Online] Available from:
http//www.Sciencedirect.com [Accessed: 03/04/2010].
 PERENS, B. 1999. Open Sources. Voices from the Open Source
Revolution. [Online] Available from:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources/book/perens.html
[Accessed: 09/03/2010]
 UEDA, M. 2005. Licenses of Open Source Software and their
Economic Values. Open Source Licenses: 1-4. [Online] Accessed
from: http//www.scirus.com [Accessed: 08/04/2010].
 VON SOLMS, S. 2000. Information Security. In: ELOFF, J. (Ed.).
The five pillars of information security (1st ed., 7-19). Pretoria: Eloff,
Mariki.
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