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Windows vs Linux- Which is more secure


 

The debate... 

Windows or Linux, which is better. The debate has been going on for eons now. The die hard fans of each sing praise of their respective OS, but there needs to be an unbiased view to get a complete picture.

The beginning

Here Microsoft takes the lead with the entry  before the internet era. Comparitively, Linux is considered a new kid on the block. Windows is based on Windows NT kernel while Linux is based on Unix. Yes, the same kernel used on Mac.

Coming to the core topic.

Security is paramount in the modern digital era given the rise of cyber crime. Here linux ups the game . Here are some features that strengthens the same

  • Open Source Linux kernel is free, and anyone can download and make changes according to preferences. There are different versions available, popular being Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora, Mint and Kali. The benefit is that multiple developers work on the same system to resolve bugs and zero day exploits, hidden by nature.  
  • Less is more Since linux is used by less than 4 percent of the population, hacking  profitability is less compared to a Windows system. 
  • Administrative control When a file gets downloaded to Windows, it automatically gets administrative access. This can cause malwares and spywares to infect and spread easily. However to make changes in a Linux system, we need to have root access, which is required every time.
  • Exclusivity Sofwares in Windows can be downloaded from various sources, leading to the inclusion of intruvise and suspicious ones. However using the app store, and package manager, Linux garuntees the genuinity of each app/software.
  • Updations in Windows is done separately and a reboot is necessary after each installation. This can discourage users from performing the same. However, Linux updation is done as a single batch and, a reboot is not necessary.
  • Faster response time Linux keeps tab on the number of processes running in the background, and adjusts the processor usage accordingly. However Windows have higher number of threads/processes running at any given time, reducing performance.
  • Built for security Linux as mentioned earlier was made after the Internet era and has within it network security protocols, inbuilt. Windows being in the pre era period was based mainly on personal computer model.

That being said Windows also brought many changes within the security landscape. The introduction of User Account Control (UAC) for administrative permissions and Bit defender for trojan/spyware removal is a welcome move. Also the starting of Windows App Store is another direction to increase the security feature.

In the end, it depends on the end user preference. A need for software compatibility, gaming or video editing, Windows is the clear winner. If security and privacy is to be prioritized, then Linux takes the cake,   

 

   

 

 

 

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