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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux security (feddit.dk)

submitted 2 days ago by UheldigeBenny@feddit.dk to c/linux@lemmy.ml

86 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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?

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[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Just make sure everything's updated.

Microsoft do a good job of updating drivers and their applications, but Windows application updates vary so much.

For Linux - mostly - the distro maintainers handle all updates and just updating is usually enough.

After that it's down to you... if you disable all the built-in protection and visit dodgy websites then any OS is going to struggle.

You can improve the out-of-box security by removing software you don't use, improving default configurations (one size doesn't fit all) and considering if you want additional security software - this applies to any OS.

So, to return to your question, choose a Linux distro which has regular updates and only contains applications that you use.

[–] fodor@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Visiting dodgy websites in itself isn't as risky as you make it out to be. There are very few exploits in an updated version of Chrome or Firefox that would compromise your machine.

[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 2 points 10 hours ago

I think you're agreeing with me then.

My first point is keeping everything updated - which would include the browser(s)

My later point was visiting dodgy sites with protections disabled.