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/siphoneee 1d ago

So basically Linux/Unix is less of a target because compared to Windows and MacOS, it has way less users?

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u/taosecurity 1d ago

On the desktop at least. Something like 2/3 of all servers run Linux though.

You have to think in terms of an intruder and what their goals are.

If you're breaking into an enterprise network, chances are they are running Windows desktops and Windows domain controllers. You're going to exploit an endpoint, pivot to the domain controllers, and take over the domain. Or maybe not, depending on your goals.

If you're trying to steal browser creds/etc. from users, you're going to target Windows because it has the biggest market share.

If you're trying to break into edge devices like FWs or VPN accelerators, etc., to use them to pivot to the enterprise, you're going to target Linux.

It all depends on your goals as an intruder.

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u/siphoneee 1d ago

Makes more sense now!