As reported by Games on LinuxAnd chatting Reddit, Steam Deck has a few security issues with a fairly old version of Firefox. Valve has reportedly promised a fix, but it won’t be fixed until the next SteamOS update. That’s not ideal.
The current version of the popular non-chrome browser is 102.0.1, but SteamOS has version 96.0.3 six months ago. You don’t need to attend DefCon hacking meetings on a regular basis to know that you shouldn’t run around with an old web browser, especially the one you use to store your social passwords. Media website, Bank website, Or even Steam itself. (By the way, don’t store your password in your browser. That’s the purpose of the password manager.)
Valve’s last major SteamOS update arrived on May 26th, with frequent client updates in the weeks that followed. However, the January build of Firefox has not been updated. There is also a beta version available in the next OS update, but you’ll have to opt in to it, not the final build. That beta also doesn’t update Firefox, and switching to a beta build of the operating system is usually not a good way to improve your security.
Kotaku I contacted Valve for comment.
Excessively eliciting this particular issue may create a mountain from Mogura Hill (for fairness, I’m far from a security expert), but it poses challenges for SteamOS and Linux gaming in general. increase.
At the latest time Steam hardware and software findings, Linux users make up only 1.18% of Steam’s population. Sure, it’s a small amount, but it’s growing with the growing popularity of Linux-native Steam Deck. People who normally run Linux operating systems can keep them safe, but what if the SteamOS population grows and becomes an attractive target for exploiting vulnerabilities and distributing malware? ?? And with Steam Deck being promoted to the general public as well as hackers, “what to do and what not to do” to keep your Linux machine safe is becoming more and more important.
If you have a Windows background, it may seem strange how Linux handles app installations. Terms such as “Flatpak”, “Snap”, and “repository” are flying around. Linux has its own method, which is a bit more complicated than double-clicking setup.exe. Also, there is no “Linux Defender” ready to always ask “Are you sure you want to install this?” The “desktop mode” of the Steam deck may be similar to Windows or macOS. I believe Valve is a security priority, but it gets random commands from the internet and adds them to the wrong repository as easily as displaying the Epic Games Store or GOG games. .. If you’re not 100% sure how to keep your machine safe, accessing Steam is prone to problems.
For many, Steam Deck may not only be their first Linux gaming device, but their first experience during the Linux period (Android does not count). As Steam decks and Steam OS continue to gain users, many will be more interested in running the game properly with minimal effort, rather than learning how to safely manage the Linux OS from scratch. Become. Currently most “noob Linux game questionIs answered by generous and kind lovers, not bad actors. But it’s hard to imagine anyone knowing how to exploit a situation, such as a malicious person or a user who doesn’t know the dangers of old software breaking in and running random scripts. Not.
The console is a locked down gaming environment for many reasons, but security is certainly the most important of them. Also, Windows security can certainly be compromised, but most of us think Windows Defender will protect us from a complete disaster. And that’s usually the case.The valve may be correct Fully participate in Linux for the future of the gameHowever, security challenges will grow as Steam Deck grows in popularity. Going forward, Valve is wise to do its best to keep security considerations at the forefront, becoming potentially critical vulnerabilities as the user base grows large enough to attract malicious attention. More timely updates are needed with a view to applying patches.
