PCWorld - Net Work: Why Switching OS Platforms Is Not a Security Fix

By Tony Bradley
Apr 13, 2012

It has been a rallying cry against Microsoft Windows for years: to avoid malware and security issues, just stop using Windows. The mantra has traditionally been embraced by both Mac and Linux users, but as Mac OS X users deal with the fallout from the Flashback malware attack, some Linux supporters are turning the tired attack even against the Apple OS.

Admittedly, the Mac OS X platform is realizing some of the negative consequences that come with mainstream adoption. The rising prominence of the Mac OS has made it an inviting target for malware developers. Switching operating systems is not the answer, though.

Granted, Linux is much less likely to be attacked by malware. But, that reality is as much or more a function of the relative obscurity of Linux as it is a function of the Linux OS itself. Being less targeted is not the same thing as being more secure.

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