From LinuxJournal.com: "Which virtual private network is right for you? Mick runs down the options and comes up with some winners and some warnings."

Read more at LinuxJournal.com

"Ubuntu is a Linux distribution that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD."

Ubuntu Linux's "Hoary Hedgehog" version (5.04) has been released. You can download it or order CDs for free.

Also, for those of you that like KDE better, Kubuntu 5.04 also was released. "The Kubuntu project aims to be to KDE what Ubuntu is to Gnome: a great integrated distro with all the great features of Ubuntu, but based on the KDE desktop."

Here are some screenshots of Ubuntu Linux 5.04 and of Kubuntu Linux 5.04 from OSDir.com

Today internetnews.com reported that a super computer research facility at Stamford University had been compromised. Funny though, the reported attacks used to compromise the system used a high level of “sophistication”, this included guessing local user account passwords (god, secret, password, student, love, welcome, design) followed by executing publicly available exploits for Linux based and Solaris systems. After the escalation to root, the reported attackers ran dictionary attacks on password files by using a 10 to 20 year old tool called John the Ripper. Once more accounts had been compromised the attackers sniffed and broke a weak implementation of Kerberos authentication cracking even more user accounts. According to the article, the attackers finished there attack by installing publicly available root kits. The attackers were discovered when they modified user accounts so that students and research staff could no longer login.

"Crashes, viruses and headaches. You have had it with Windows and you want to switch to Linux. Where to begin? How do you save your documents? Will my hardware work?

Slow down... take a deep breath, because you have a lot of work ahead of you. Millions of people have made the same switch before you, so it's not impossible. We are going to take you step-by-step through a whole migration from Windows to Linux, covering everything from picking the right Linux distribution to installing Linux applications. "

Part 1: Preparation
Part 2: Installing and Using

A new vulnerability in the Linux kernel was found that can allow a local user to gain root privileges using the mremap() system call due to incorrect bounds checks that affects kernel 2.2, 2.4 (prior to 2.4.24), and 2.6. An updated linux 2.4 kernel has been released to correct this vulnerability (according to its changelog).

The next generation of the linux kernel has been released check out kernel.org to download or see changelogs

Ever wondered why Windows needs defrags and linux doesn't? Plainfaqs.org gives an explanation as to why defrags aren't needed in Linux.

LinuxJournal reviewed SuSE 8.2 Professional saying, "An easy and smart install, abundant documentation and plenty of configuration options make SuSE 8.2 ideal for the desktop."

For an article on using Netfilter hooks and their possibilities for backdooring a linux kernel, read this. You should also find it in Phrack #61 when it's published.

Tired of struggling with Windows, X, OSX? Steve Mulder from osnews.com has the answer. According to one of his recent stories Mulder shows how he was able to follow a simple guild and compile his own Linux distribution from scratch, which I have to admit is a feat I myself probably wouldn’t feel comfortable doing alone. See Osnews.com for more information