Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT
Google Supposedly Drops Windows for “More Secure” OS
Tuesday, June 01, 2010 by Matt Hymel
Microsoft has taken a lot of criticism over the security
vulnerabilities with Internet Explorer and Windows. They have done
what is necessary to protect their user and will continue to
innovate in the field of technological security -- but Google isn't
a believer.
Google has apparently made a move to ditch Windows for an
open-source operating system, claiming security vulnerabilities as the main
concern. Back in January, Google was attacked by malicious Chinese
hackers that stole private information from Gmail accounts,
supposedly regarding human rights activists. This could ultimately
lead to Google's 10,000+ employees worldwide to drop Windows.
In the article published by the Financial Times, one Google
employee is quoted as saying "many people have been moved away from
Windows PCS and mostly towards Mac OS." Another employee stated
that "Linux is open source and we feel good about it, Microsoft we
don't feel so good about."
Although Microsoft's vulnerabilities are well-documented, other
operating systems may be just as susceptible. Computerworld.com explains that "security experts point out that
Microsoft's market share dominance promises malware developers a
significantly higher ROI than the Mac OS, which owns 5% of the OS
market." The term "security by obscurity" has been thrown around in
the case of Mac and Linux, which means that their (Mac OS and
Linux) minimal adaptation has left hackers a less desirable
motivation.
Some critics have questioned the reasoning behind Google's
movement, citing the rapidly growing Android OS and the
up-and-coming Chrome OS as possible destinations for future
internal use.
A blogger over at ZDNet.com, Adrian Kinglsey-Hughes, wonders if the move is a "PR stunt, with
Google using Microsoft as a scapegoat for the hack attack."
However, Sam Diaz of ZDNet points out a tweet from Frank Shaw, Lead
Corporate Communications for Microsoft, that notes "Google is going
Google," meaning that the move is simply a transitional stage until
Chrome OS is fully adapted.
Is your company concerned with Windows as much as Google? Or is
this just Google preparing to utilize its future OS?
Until Next Time -
Matthew Hymel
Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support &
Consulting
Rochester
IT Support & Consulting
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