In the wake of Google’s move away from using Microsoft Windows due to security concerns, many people are now wondering if they, too, should start using Linux or buy a Mac instead. In short, the answer is no, and I won’t hesitate to explain why.
Google has banned all usage of Windows company-wide. Permission to run the OS on laptops may still be attained, but from the higher levels of the company if at all. Google has blamed Windows for the China hacking incident of a few months ago and cites security concerns as their reason for the switch. All new employees are given a choice of Mac or Linux OS.
For most consumers with a bit of common sense, though, Microsoft Windows, particularly Windows 7, offers plenty of security features that will protect you should problems arise. Since Windows is the most popular operating system by a long shot, having anywhere from 80 to 95% market share depending on who you speak to, it’s naturally the target for viruses, Trojans and worms that can completely destroy your PC, necessitating a call to IT support.
So it’s true that in a sense, Windows users can suffer more from the actions of hackers. But that doesn’t mean Macs are invulnerable, and in fact if you use Safari you could quite easily fall victim to a virus, were criminals intent on targeting Macs. Of course, Google employees will be using Google’s browser, Chrome. If Macs gained a great market share, it’s undeniable that hackers would find holes in that OS as well, but at the moment it simply isn’t cost effective when the same amount of time can target 90% of the population instead of 10%.
Moreover, Google’s decision is not purely made with security in mind. In the coming months, the company plans to introduce its own operating system, Chrome. By switching employees (and persuading consumers) away from Windows, Google can effortlessly build up its market and quickly and easily switch its employees over to its own OS when the time comes.
That doesn’t mean you should switch. Using properly configured antivirus software, updating Windows whenever possible, and fully investigating and learning about Windows’s security settings will ensure your computer’s safety for years to come. No one appears aware of which Windows OS Google was using; apparently the China hack went through Internet Explorer 6, a browser which Microsoft no longer supports and no computer-savvy user would even consider opening.
If you enjoy using Windows, don’t let Google scare you away, at least not until they have a better product to offer. It’s almost universally acknowledged at this point that Windows 7 is actually quite good, with a large number of security, customisation, and optimisation features designed for the individual consumer as well as business users. Linux may be better in the end for those who really want to get into the details of their computer, but Windows simply works for many.