Posted on 06/01/2010 9:02:23 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Comments one employee, "Linux is open source and we feel good about it. Microsoft we don’t feel so good about."
And why use Apple, a traditionally closed system? This may stem from the fact that Google and Apple long enjoyed an overly close relationship until the smartphone war transformed the pair to become rivals. Describes one employee, "Particularly since the China scare, a lot of people here are using Macs for security."
Also, some Google employees apparently love their Macs. Another employee chimed in, "It would have made more people upset if they banned Macs rather than Windows."
Macs and Linux systems tend to be attacked far less than Windows systems. That's because the majority of malicious coders tend to target the biggest party -- Windows -- which holds approximately 90 percent of the market.
Linux and Macs, while no more secure than Windows, in most cases don't have enough market share to justify coding malware for them -- thus most attacks on these platforms are essentially academic exercises.
Mac and Linux boxes are vulnerable to cross platform attacks in some cases, but the inability to install malware makes life more difficult for cybercriminals.
Apparently getting a Windows PC these days is almost as hard as getting in to Area 51 -- "Getting a new Windows machine now requires CIO approval" claimed employees."
Google had previously made efforts to move employees voluntarily away from Windows towards Linux, the OS favored by Google. States an employee, "Before the security, there was a directive by the company to try to run things on Google products. [The Windows ban] was a long time coming."
Google is increasingly looking to develop its own operating systems. It currently is dominating the smart phone market with its rapidly growing Android OS, which is based on Linux. And later this year it hopes to unleash a netbook/tablet operating system called Chrome OS onto the world. Chrome OS is a rather unique Linux distribution whose functionality is entirely browser based. All the apps on the tablet are web-based and functions like printing are accomplished via web drivers.
Microsoft has yet to comment on the rejection.
fyi
But canthey use Boot Camp with their Macs?
I hope they go with Linux if they’re serious about it.
Still using IE6 and gonna blame it on Microsoft? I’d be looking at my application management process and IT Security department to find the REAL culprit in this complete breakdown of their internal security policies.
Probably if they work while they are offline. That is how I use XP on my mac I just make sure the internet is turned off. I really don’t believe anything can travel through it to XP but just to make double sure....
Like the Chinese were using off the shelf malware for their attacks on Google and therefore would have been completely thwarted by the MAC OS! Yea, Right.
This is a marketing ploy pure and simple.
If Google wants cyber security it had better look to more high tech solutions than switching to Linux or Mac. That’s just laughable.
See #8.
This is NOT as good sign for Google-
They apparently are hiring a lot of ‘open source’ linux geeks ( hint: socialists )
So you do the math where this will lead them
I have worked with a lof of these ‘open source’ linux lunatics who think software should be given away free for the masses. Most of them are flamers (libtards) and hypocrites- STEALING time from their employer so they can build ‘free’ software to give away.
And try to get them to explain how they will feed their families when no one pays for software- They religiously recite “tech support”
(who has paid for tech support lately and how much?)
I am not at all convinced that Linux is no more secure than Windows. For 2 reasons, Direct X and the integrated browser (IE) with the OS. In my opinion both are security killers. There are many Linux distributions, some not so secure and others incredibly secure. I have used several flavors of Linux and have used it for over 10 years. I am not a Google fan, but think this is a smart move for them.
I am an old RF techie, have been a Ham 35 years. There is not a "left leaning" bone in my body, but I think Linux is an incredibly good OS. And have used it for over 10 years. Not all Linux users are libs, socialists or even geeks. Redhat is certainly not free, but a very stable efficient platform.
I am with you....
I LOVE my Linux MINT rel 9.
OOPS I forgot to include the kneejerk rejection warning: LINUX IS VASTLY SUPERIOR TO WINDOWS I FULLY AND FREELY ACKNOWLEGE THAT, OK? I HATE Microsoft’s horseSh!t games too...
Windows just did a better marketing job and took over the computer world.
I program software for a living - I KNOW linux is superior, OK- but ask gramma if she wants the latest Ubuntu binaries to get email photos of her grandchildren? -the user interface has ONLY had a 20 year head start on Microsoft...
So, technically it is superior- but in marketing and user-friendliiness it SUX HARD
Windows greatest security flaw is it’s users. The average Windows user is a bit more likely than the average Linux user to do something stupid like click that box allowing a plugin to be installed from some web site they are on.
They are more likely to reduce security in the interest of conveience.
Google apparently got hit by a vulnerability in a very old version of Internet Explorer. That sounds like poor system administration to me.
Google has a lot of data that hackers are going to want. Switching to Linux and MacOS will most likely just encourage Chineese hackers to put forth more effort on hacking Linux and MacOS.
Do you know what OS this site runs on?
Linux I am sure a wild guess would be Centos or some other Red Hat clone.
In my humble opinion Linux (open source) coding is more efficient. There is no need for the complexities that go with controling licensing. This is a big advantage on efficiency. I hate software bloat.
There is also the issue of motive. Many of the Malware problems that plague PC users are due to bundling apps and promoting click-through revenue streams that are resource hogs and scams. I have “fixed” them for years.
For me, a PC is another tool. I built my first one in 1982.
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