Linux Or Windows? Do Your Homework.

I get a a lot of terrific comments on this blog. One visitor, colonelcrayon, left a comment regarding the security issues with Windows and Linux.   He said, "As I've already commented multiple times, security is almost entirely up to the user. A competent user is never in danger."

This got me to thinking.  I think he has a point.  If a computer user sits down and does their homework, they decrease their chances of Windows getting infected.   This means having to do some research, of course.  A user really needs to find out which anti-virus software works best on Windows.  They also have to learn about how best to avoid infecting their system.   A windows user should also be vigilant.  They should make sure to monitor news sites and blogs to see if any new virus is out their threatening Windows.  (And there are a lot of viruses targeting Windows systems.)

If a Windows user takes the time to learn all this and makes sure their anti-virus subscription is paid and up-to-date, and learns about the inner workings of their OS, they should have a fairly secure system.  And in the process, they'll learn more about the operating system and how to troubleshoot it should something go wrong.  The more a user knows, the less likely they'll  be returning the computer to the store where it was purchased.  They'll be better able, themselves, to correct any problems that might arise.

Or, they can just use all this time and effort and simply  learn Linux. Learn the Linux operating system, how it works, and how much more secure it is.  Sure, a new Linux user should still learn about virus threats.  But they'll have the added peace of mind in knowing that Windows viruses don't affect Linux systems.

So, sit down, and do your homework.  You can learn a lot about Windows, how to tweak it, and how to make it more secure.  But just know that, as a Windows user, you'll still be under threat of attack by viruses, spyware and malware.  And once one security hole in Windows is plugged, another always seems to pop up.

However, if you sit down and do your homework and learn how to use Linux, you'll have a more secure system which cannot be attacked by Windows viruses.  AND you will have learned a bit more about computing.  This knowledge liberates you from Windows.  You won't be dependent on Microsoft.  (Plus, when you switch, you'll save money in the long run).

Either way, a well informed and educated computer user will know how to overcome problems.

However, the choice is yours.  Learn more about Windows, but still have the target on your back.   Learn about Linux with the target taken off.

Get Linux.

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