Are free forums worth the security problems?

**JasMate** · 06-07-2007, 03:36 AM

I know that phpbb has had problems in the past with security bugs etc. Is it the same with payed forums? I mean is it just a matter of keeping everything up to date with the latest version?

**Ben_S** · 06-07-2007, 12:45 PM

I've never had a security problem using SMF.

**JonathanSA** · 06-07-2007, 01:11 PM

All forum software has a bug or two here and there, the same with security issues. So long as the vendors release updates to patch the software, it's not a major issue.

You're not going to find a forum software that is 100% secure and locked down.

**bcmtouring** · 06-07-2007, 03:59 PM

As long as you keep upgrading the script it wouldn't be a big hassle even with free scripts!

**fizzleboink** · 06-07-2007, 09:28 PM

Ya I wouldn't worry about it with any sort of main stream forum software, as long as you keep it up to date.

**Lpspider** · 06-07-2007, 10:32 PM

In general, paid is 1) More reliable (less bugs, security holes) and 2) quicker to update such bugs and security issues.

**JonathanSA** · 06-08-2007, 05:55 AM

Simply because you pay for software doesn't make it any more reliable than freeware you're able to download

.

A bit of a contrasting comparison, however, I pay for Microsoft Windows and to be honest, it's probably one of the most insecure OS's on the market. Just look at the amount of updates released for it.

I do not, however, pay for CentOS or other Linux distributions and when I install them I'm able to set up my own security and know that it's secured as long as I continue to install the very few required updates for the system (i.e. more specifically the kernel).

At the end of the day, they both require attention, just as forum software does. Free or paid makes no difference. Quality software is drive by the people that make it so. Simply because you pay $100+ for software does not make it any better than a slimmer version that is available for free

.

As I said, a bit of a contrasting comparison, however, it gets the point across.

06-07-2007, 03:36 AM	#1
JasMate Groupie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 45	Are free forums worth the security problems? I know that phpbb has had problems in the past with security bugs etc. Is it the same with payed forums? I mean is it just a matter of keeping everything up to date with the latest version?

06-07-2007, 12:45 PM	#2
Ben_S Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 128	I've never had a security problem using SMF. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. with 3 million+ posts. Powered by To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2007, 01:11 PM	#3
JonathanSA Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 222	All forum software has a bug or two here and there, the same with security issues. So long as the vendors release updates to patch the software, it's not a major issue. You're not going to find a forum software that is 100% secure and locked down. __________________ » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2007, 03:59 PM	#4
bcmtouring Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 585	As long as you keep upgrading the script it wouldn't be a big hassle even with free scripts! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2007, 09:28 PM	#5
fizzleboink Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 84	Ya I wouldn't worry about it with any sort of main stream forum software, as long as you keep it up to date. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-07-2007, 10:32 PM	#6
Lpspider Forum Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,338	In general, paid is 1) More reliable (less bugs, security holes) and 2) quicker to update such bugs and security issues. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-08-2007, 05:55 AM	#7
JonathanSA Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 222	Simply because you pay for software doesn't make it any more reliable than freeware you're able to download . A bit of a contrasting comparison, however, I pay for Microsoft Windows and to be honest, it's probably one of the most insecure OS's on the market. Just look at the amount of updates released for it. I do not, however, pay for CentOS or other Linux distributions and when I install them I'm able to set up my own security and know that it's secured as long as I continue to install the very few required updates for the system (i.e. more specifically the kernel). At the end of the day, they both require attention, just as forum software does. Free or paid makes no difference. Quality software is drive by the people that make it so. Simply because you pay $100+ for software does not make it any better than a slimmer version that is available for free . As I said, a bit of a contrasting comparison, however, it gets the point across. __________________ » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. » To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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