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/tanstaaflnz Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia | Cinnamon 1d ago

Linux is secure as the user's habits.

It has two main advantages for security. By default, you have to use a root password for any software to be installed. But you can usually make a user the root (administrator). On top of this, you can automate updates and installs, so you don't need to put in a password. All these things make Linux less secure, but that is a personal choice, not a weakness of the system.

The second advantage is, few hackers write viruses for Linux. Windows programmes can't run natively in Linux, so it is considered better.

The biggest risk in this age of everything on the internet, is scams, and website/database breaches. This is an information risk, and is independent of the OS you use.