In today’s tech-savvy world, we use a ton of software to get things done. But have you ever stopped and thought, “Who’s actually creating this software?” It’s kind of like wondering who’s making your pizza in the back of the restaurant. You want to make sure it’s someone you can trust, right?

Just a while ago, Kaspersky, a big name in security software, got the boot because there were concerns about who might be peeking into the code. Imagine the shock! Picture this: it’s like finding out someone’s been sneaking veggies onto your favorite meat lover’s pizza without you knowing. It’s not cool.

And don’t even get me started on the massive Solarwinds mess, where bad guys slipped nasty surprises into the software, leaving everyone freaking out. Imagine biting into your pizza and finding something super weird in there. Yikes!

Now, think about the giant of all software giants—Microsoft. These folks have a global team working on their Windows operating system, which is basically the foundation of most computers around the world. Their coders are scattered from Israel to India, and even China, where they had to whip up a special Windows 10 recipe for the Chinese government’s taste.

But it’s not just about what’s on your computer screen. Think routers, Wi-Fi devices – they all have software inside them that’s crucial. It’s sort of like how your pepperoni isn’t the only topping on the pizza; you’ve got cheese, sauce, and maybe some peppers too.

Speaking of toppings, you’ve got to make sure nothing fishy is leaving your network. It’s like making sure your pizza delivery doesn’t take weird detours. Use tools like Sysmon for Windows and its cousin for Linux to keep a watchful eye on your digital traffic. And with open-source stuff, you can dive deep in and see every ingredient – I mean, line of code.

Here’s another thing: hardware carries code too, and it speaks to the outside world. Just like how your phone’s GPS blabs about where you are, you’ve got to be sure your hardware isn’t sharing secrets it shouldn’t. Double-check what’s getting out of your network and make sure it’s only things you said yes to.

Folks should also keep an eye on those pesky vulnerabilities that can slip through. For example, some clever hackers found a way to skip over Azure firewall rules, and that’s like a locked door that turns out to be not so locked. Microsoft and the sharp team at Tenable had to point out that we can’t just rely on service tags as digital bouncers.

It sounds tough, right? Like trying to make the perfect pizza – it’s art, science, and a whole lot of practice. Knowing who’s behind the code and what it’s up to is huge. It’s all about trusting your tech as much as your taste buds.

Want some help with these tech toppings? Diversified Outlook Group could be your go-to guides. Whether it’s auditing your software kitchen or teaching you how to sniff out the not-so-great ingredients in your tech pizza, they’re here for you. Just reach out to the tech chefs at support@diversifiedoutlookgroup.com, and they’ll help you make sure you’re munching on the safest, yummiest digital slice out there.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out the full story: www.csoonline.com/article/3486742/who-writes-the-code-in-your-security-software-you-need-to-know.html