Half a Second
Summary
Half a Second recounts the discovery of a backdoor in XZ Utils, a ubiquitous Linux tool, illustrating how a small, under-resourced maintainer ecosystem can impact global infrastructure. The book uses interpretive narrative nonfiction to explain security concepts to general readers, emphasizing the fragility and dependence on volunteer-driven open-source software. It offers value to readers interested in security, software supply chains, and open-source dynamics.