Hi there,
Win10 is soon not supported. Tbh Linux have been on my radar since I started to break from the US big tech.
But how is security handled in Linux? Linux is pretty open-source, or am I not understanding it correctly. So how can I as a new user make sure to have the most secure machine as possible?
You sure though? Windows has more viruses because it’s more popular (desktop) and monolithic, not because Linux is much better in that regard. IOW Linux is not magically virus resistant. If you run an infected file, it will infect both without much trouble. Also removing infection would be similar. At least that’s my understanding.
What do you want? It should go without saying that I am absolutely sure of my own experience.
In probably 15 years total of running Linux I have not had a single problem with malware or viruses. Part of that time was also running Windows regularly and my Windows systems DID become infected with both malware and viruses occasionally, despite my best efforts. And you’re not mentioning the fact that Linux runs on 63% of the server market and those systems are under constant attack.
Reports of Linux system infections are truly rare, and considering the nature of the user community would be widely and loudly reported if they were happening.
Do you have any experience in this matter? Have you had your own Linux installations infected, or are you a Windows user questioning what you’re reading? (Perfectly reasonable if the 2nd one’s the case.) Please fill us in on the details.
Servers are a different story. I’m both Windows and Linux user, meaning more towards the later recently. I’m still wondering why do you think Linux is more resistant to malware - besides the incompatibility (mentioned in other reply here). Your experience doesn’t tell much about why and I wrote my theory.
Do you have any experience with Linux viruses? Have you had your own Linux installations infected with viruses or malware?
I think I’m cautious enough to not have the experience, luckily. But why does that matter? I’m still waiting from you for rationale why is Linux experiencing less infections. And you keep asking unimportant questions…
Glad you haven’t had any issues. Have a good night.
It’s hard enough getting legit software in general to work on Linux. Even if a virus was written for Ubuntu, it is likely not going to run on Fedora, or Arch, or even downstream/upstream versions of Ubuntu.
Edit: Although thinking about it, Linux terminal commands are pretty universal, so if you manage to execute a script or terminal command as root or sudo then I guess it could apply to multiple distros.
Ha, yes, incompatibility is the secret defense of linux 🫣. But even without root access, malware can create a lot of damage.
The Linux kernel is monolithic too. This and the slow adoption of Rust are the two major security complaints of the GrapheneOS regarding Linux. I might change to COSMIC when it’s ready just to spite the luddites that oppose Rust.
My bad, used the wrong word there. I meant that Windows is very compatible with older versions and different flavors.
“Unified” is the word I’d use then. Linux being the opposite, “fragmented”.