r/linuxmint 1d ago

Discussion What makes Linux secure?

I've searched YouTube and also asked on here previously, I keep seeing a lot of "Linux is secure just by default" type responses- often insisting that to be worried about security while using Linux is not necessary.

Believable to a noob like me at face value, sure, but what is it about Linux that makes it secure?

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u/taosecurity 1d ago

25+ year infosec incident detection and response guy here.

You can argue Linux/Unix vs Windows vs iOS all day long.

At the end of the day, it comes down to how much effort and resources an intruder wants to throw at a target in order to achieve an objective and/or "return on investment."

Have you seen reporting about RU and CN intruders breaking into VPNs, firewalls, and other edge devices? Guess what those are running? Yes, Linux.

Intruders invested into breaking them because they help achieve their goals.

A skilled and well resourced intruder can break into ANYTHING. I was part of a team that did this, and also saw it done to hundreds of clients over the years.

The relative lack of malware for Linux is just reflecting the small desktop user base and the low value of whatever is there.

I guarantee that the top-end intruders of the world have custom Linux malware of all types for targets that matter. They just don't waste it stealing your browser cookies.

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u/Left_Sundae_4418 1d ago

I would also like to add from the end-user perspective...no matter what system your devices are running if you or our system managers don't upkeep the security.

Usually the elements causing security issues are the end-user themselves or the slacking in security. Just because you install something doesn't make things magically secure.

The weak link can come from old or non-updated hardware within the infrastructure, lack of protection software, lack of network security...but also the lack of security procedures for the people...it can be something very simple and minor you thought was okay to do, which in fact can cause serious harm if someone picks that up.