New MIT Consortium Promotes Kerberos
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has founded the Kerberos Consortium with the aim of enhancing the Kerberos authentication protocol to provide a universal authentication method on open networks.
To achieve this, the Consortium is looking to take an active part in software development and to provide documentation. The immediate objective is to implement Kerberos in Open Source reference solutions. The companies and organisations involved will be able to use the reference solution without paying license fees. Consortium members include Google, Sun and various universities. Apple will also be providing a financial contribution.
The Kerberos network authentication protocol was developed as part of the Athena project at MIT in the early eighties. The aim was to create a computer network with up to 80,000 workplaces and to give end users the ability to access the same files und services with a consistent look & feel from any workplace.
Version number 5.1.6.2 of the Kerberos authentication software by MIT, who implemented the protocol, is available from the Kerberos page on the MIT website. Other implementations, which build on Kerberos, include the Shishi and Heimdal authentication services.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.
-
The Linux Kernel Dev Staging Area Now Rejects AI-Generated Patches
Unless a kernel patch is a valid security fix, it will be rejected if it was created using AI.
-
Linux Surpasses Double-Digit Market Share
According to two sources, the Linux operating system has hit a major milestone in market share that naysayers thought would never happen.
-
AI Helped Develop a Linux Exploit
A use-after-free race exploit was discovered and exploited on CentOS Stream 9.
-
Yet Another Linux Kernel Vulnerability Discovered
Affecting millions of systems, a kernel flaw discovered by Qualys could allow users to gain root privileges.
-
Ubuntu 26.10 to Include Ubuntu Certified Hardware Check
If you've ever wondered if your laptop or PC is officially certified to run Ubuntu, that curiosity will soon be met.
-
Substantial Update to IPFire Now Available
The lastest version of IPFire features a fundamental change to how the system handles DNS.
-
Gnome Working on Test Center App to Make Testing Easier
It's now possible to test experimental features on the Gnome desktop without worrying that you'll break things.
-
New Vulnerability Discovered in Linux Kernel
Hiding out for nearly 15 years, the Ghostlock vulnerability allows a standard logged-in user to gain root privileges.