hi,

if i'm not mistaken, if i still using an older version of linux, such as redhat 6.0... there will be a possibility that my system could be invaded or hacked.

what about unix? if there any security hole in UNIX like SVR4? is it save to still using unix nowadays?

Moved: More suitable in the Security Forum.

But most likely you would have some outdated files or services running a version that old. The suggestion I would give you is to find out what services you will be running and update them to the latest stable release addressing any security vulnerabilities they may have.

what about unix? if there any security hole in UNIX like SVR4?
UNIX != Linux. And AFAIK SRV4 is old.
Besides that the basic approach still applies. Search Securityfocus, CERT, SANS, CIAC and the other "official" security resources for vulnerability information, read your vendors security bulletins and apply upgrades and take the "usual" route wrt security assessments, auditing and securing/hardening a UNIX (B or C level security certified) system.

is it save to still using unix nowadays?
Your question is way too broad IMO. You didn't post specific details about the systems purpose, configuration and environment. Anyone answering this question with yes or no should be able to also motivate it in detail.
So I'll return the question: define safe?

Btw, also check out the BSD and Solaris forums at LQ.

In general, running an old version of any operating system is unsafe and unwise.

unSpawn,

is it save to still using unix nowadays?-->erm, i dont know how to specify this. but what make me wonder about this matter is that i found that one higher educational institute still having UNIX as one of the sub domain in their LAN. more surprise is that, that sub domain is under the department of Admission And Record department.

what come to my mind is that is that could be any possiblility that one of the students in this institute could get into the system and make some changes such as change their gred.

Unix is still being developed, sold and used. Contrary to what certain companies would like you to believe, Unix is not dead. Companies such as Sun and IBM have Unix versions under active development and are readily available. Unix (ie Solaris, AIX, and many others) are good operating systems that have their places.

As for your concern about this particular Unix installation that you have observed, the relative "safety" depends on many factors such as version, patch level, configuration, applications, and access controls like firewalls.

stickman,

thanks for your information. i though unix didn't have any continous development.
but, why dont they just use linux? what so special with unix? furthermore it is not free.

There are many factors that go into choosing one operating system over another. An OS is rarely picked on technical merits alone. One has to consider application and hardware requirements, staff experience, business environment, costs, etc. Unfortunately, sometimes politics get thrown in there.

Nearly every place that is running Unix has at least one specific reason. It's most like not "it's cool". Sometimes it's because they have a specific hardware requirement (ie a huge tape silo) or an application requirement (ie it only runs on Solaris). I am aware of some organizations that chose Solaris as server standard and required that all of their apps run on Solaris to make infrastructure management a bit easier.