The “Heartbleed” bug highlighted one of the
Web’s great contradictions: Many enormously profitable companies rely on a tiny
group of underpaid programmers to secure their websites -- and those
programmers need some help. On Thursday, several big technology companies --
including Google, Facebook and Microsoft -- pledged financial support to the
people who maintain OpenSSL, a popular open-source software used to secure
about two-thirds of all websites, as well as home routers, millions of
smartphones running older Android operating systems, and other
Internet-connected devices. Now, a dozen technology firms have pledged $3.6
million -- or $300,000 each over the next three years -- to underfunded
open-source projects. OpenSSL would be the first to receive funding. Steve
Marquess, president of OpenSSL Software Foundation, which raises money for the
programmers, declined to comment Wednesday, saying he was still reviewing how
much money would be earmarked for the project. “It looks promising but we’re
still evaluating the details,” Marquess said.
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