Hackers usually enjoy a good challenge and next month they’ll be tearing up Linux, Windows Vista and Mac OS X in a race to see which operating system cracks first under pressure.

CanSecWest is a security conference held annually and this year it’s hosting a contest which sets competitors “head-to-head in an “ethical” hacking contest to determine which system is more secure,” according to Wired.

On its front page, CanSecWest describes itself as “the world’s most advanced conference focusing on applied digital security, is about bringing the industry luminaries together in a relaxed environment which promotes collaboration and social networking.” Hosting a hacking contest like this may be a good indication that they’re serious about discovering vulnerabilities.

Though seemingly an obvious catalyst for innovation, pundits call out that the conference sometimes reveals vulnerabilities to the public before developers have a chance to react.

Specific rules in the contest are still in flux, “last year’s contest generated some controversy when the organizers were forced to change the rules slightly to allow the hack to include user actions — visiting a malicious webpage for example — something that wasn’t part of the original challenge.”

With Linux’s historic reputation as a secure operating system, Windows Vista’s strong focus on improved security since Windows XP, and Mac OS X’s sparkling track record (at least in the eyes of Mac users), the outcome of this contest should be enlightening.

So, besides the satisfaction of spiting authority, what will make it worthwhile for hackers to participate? After mentioning laptops as potential prizes, CanSecWest organizer Dragos Ruiu told ZDNet “we want the prizes to inspire lust amongst geeks. It’s going to be something lustworthy.”

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Entry was posted on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm under Linux, Security, Vista.

Read more entries by Matt Jansen.
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