"Open-source software" is a type of software that allows users to view, modify, and distribute its source code freely. This model promotes collaboration and innovation, enabling developers to share improvements and fixes with the broader community. Open-source projects benefit from the collective input of numerous contributors, resulting in more robust and secure software. Additionally, this approach reduces costs for users and organizations, fostering an ecosystem where anyone can learn from or enhance the original work. Popular examples of open-source software include Linux, Apache, and Mozilla Firefox.