Skip to main content

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,   

 

   

 

 

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Man In The Middle Attack - EavesDropping in the Digital World

    This is a term used to describe a cyber attack where a hacker acts as middleman, during data transfer between user and an application. The app can be a financial or an E commerce website, Software as a Service (SaaS) etc. The hacker can intercept data passed via the browser to the website, and collect sensitive information such as account and credit card details, user login etc. To put it into context, it is like a postman who reads all the letters addressed to you, then reseals the same, on delivery. This way no one suspects a foul play.   Interception This is the first phase of the attack. Here the hacker establishes a connection with the target device whether a PC, Laptop or Smart phone. This is done   through various methods   like   Free WiFi  : Here a WiFi hot spot is set up  which is not password protected. When a user logs in to the network, they are in essence connecting to the hacker's system. Now any data transfer occurs via this co...
Post a Comment
Read more

X86 vs ARM - The PC War

X86 Vs ARM A Hype?  Recently laptops powered by ARM processors have taken industry by storm. Touted as being highly power efficient, providing 18 hours backup, on as single charge. That too while running multiple program instances. Would this spell an end to the x86 architecture, where Intel and AMD rule. Or will the tables turn around? What's the Difference? Let's start with an x86 based CPU. They feature a single processing unit which can be integrated to other external peripherals like Memory, GPU etc. Here each peripheral has a separate controller, knitted together by address and data BUS. When we look at ARM all the above components (Memory, GPU) are integrated within the main chip. Known commonly as SOC (System on a Chip) . This helps in reduced footprint. But they do come with a drawback. Cannot expand by adding extra peripherals. Coming to complexity, x86 provides a simpler set up, at least for a developer. Here most of the core tasks such as Memory Read/Write, Arithmet...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Brain within an Embedded System-Difference between Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

To understand the working of an Integrated Circuit, we need to first understand what an Embedded System is.  It is basically a conjunction of Hardware and Software parts. Embedded System is a stripped-down version of a mainstream computer, specializing in a single task. They are connected either as a standalone device, or as part of a larger electrical or mechanical system. Mainly in consumer electronics like fridges or microwaves, they have low power rating and, is economical to build. Embedded system performs complex mathematical calculations at any specific time. This is done thru a Central Processing Unit (CPU) , mostly a Microcontroller or at times, a Microprocessor. A Sensor is used to collect data from the external environment Eg: Temperature, atmospheric pressure etc. This is then fed into an Analog to Digital (ADC) converter. The digital signal thus obtained is stored in memory and, decoded by the CPU.  The output of the operation is then fed to a Digital to Analog...
Post a Comment
Read more