Better security protection tops the list of buying criteria for open source software, reveals a new study conducted on Australia, China, India and Korea.

MANILA, Philippines -- Security is the number one reason why end-users deploy open-source software, according to a recent survey by research analyst IDC.

The Standish group recently completed an extensive study that examines factors influencing open-source adoption. Based on five years of research and analysis, the report provides intriguing insights into open-source adoption levels and the way that open source is reshaping the software industry.

The successful deployment of free and open source software (FOSS) in projects in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America are described in a publication entitled "Breaking Barriers" by UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme.

Having many more eyes watching the code and a community of developers backing up users, open source security applications provide a wide range of options and made-to-order uses. Here's a list of 10 serious open source security applications, gathered via the word-of-mouth of the CSOs who use them.

Companies in the Asia-Pacific region are warming up to open source software for practical rather than religious reasons.

A leading application security firm issues research report alleging that open source software developers are missing the security boat.

Security professionals favor open source software about as much as proprietary solutions for IT deployments, a vendor survey suggests

Some quarters in the software industry still carry a bias against the credibility of open source security applications. Open source network gateway developer Untangle did not expect to find its request for certified testing of the popular open source virus security product ClamAV shunned. When it was, Untangle decided to do its own test.