Dell: Ubuntu Safer than Windows
Is Canonical's Ubuntu operating system safer than Windows 7?
Although Dell has shipped millions of PCs running Windows-based operating systems, the company is apparently well-aware of the security issues surrounding the Microsoft OS. In fact, while currently promoting its products that use Canonical's Ubuntu operating system, Dell is boldly claiming that the Linux-based solution is actually more secure.
"Ubuntu is safer than Microsoft Windows," Dell said (additional pdf) in its list of top ten things users should know about Ubuntu. "The vast majority of viruses and spyware written by hackers are not designed to target and attack Linux."
While Dell does have a point, it did not provide any additional details. Instead, Dell backed its claim by saying that Linux has been around for almost twenty years. Not only is it stable and reliable, but it's also pervasive.
"Linux is used on computers of all sizes ranging from the biggest to the smallest," Dell said. "If you’re the kind of person who likes your computer to simply work, Ubuntu is right for you. It’s based on stable, secure, easy-to-use software that’s been around for a long time."
Dell has shipped Ubuntu-based rigs since 2007, and even claims that it's sold more than any other computer maker in the world. Currently Microsoft has not issued a retaliation, however we're betting that a few execs will get their feathers ruffled and force Dell to remove the comments.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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LATTEH i would use linux as my main OS but most game devs don't support OpenGL...Reply
and doing level design makes it even harder to switch over :S -
gwwerner Linux more secure than windows? Who saw that coming? As long as the vast majority of malware is written for windows, then everything else is safer.Reply -
jdubsbooth In other news, the sky is blue.Reply
Seriously, when was this ever questioned? The only reason Ubuntu and linux in general aren't more popular than they are is because of all the hurdles you have to jump to get trivial things like mouse buttons working. -
Gin Fushicho "simply work"? Linux is a pain in the ass to get the things to work you want to work, unless everything is pre-installed.Reply
But I have the feeling that if Dell starts selling Linux only computers that soon they will get heaps of viruses too.