Open source software seems at first glance a bit risky. After all, if it is open source then surely that means that anyone with a bit of knowledge of coding can create a script which will integrate with a well known piece of public software, and then hack your computer through a back door or Trojan?
First up, I don’t personally think that the risk is as bad as it sounds. The biggest server driver, Linux, is well known for being very secure. Why is this? It’s because it is compiled by so many people.
Open source software is by it’s very nature, open. Anyone can look at it, examine it, rewrite it. So as soon as someone creates a virus or other bit of nasty code which drops into the software immediately there is someone in the world on the case, and solving any malicious attack. So it’s safe, right?
Well I am not so sure. You see, most of the time the open source that is safe has a massive user base, so is pretty safe. But something such as open source accounting software is generally used by a much smaller user base, and thus doesn’t have the rigorous back up of programmers all over the world. Which means it gives a little time for someone to swipe your finance information before you have blinked.
So is there an alternative? I think that there is. The general reason for picking the open source option is that it is free. But how about an online free option?
I personally use Outright.com for my business and home accounting software because it does what I need it to, it doesn’t reside on my computer, and it’s free.
Whether you decide to risk the free open-source accounting software or go for my suggestion of Outright, or even another system, you really must. Remember that it is all to easy to allow your accounts to get in a mess which will take you a very long time to sort out at your end of year tax return! Don’t leave it too late.
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