Windows has long been a standard in internet and network security, but if you’ve studied computer history then you already know that UNIX was one of the original operating systems. It was followed up by MINIX, which was then succeeded by a monolithic dorm room project by Linux Torvalds. Surprisingly, despite mounting criticism, the operating system took off, and you will definitely learn more about it in information technology school. Today we’re going to cover some of the basics that are absolutely driving more and more businesses to embrace the Linux operating system.
Information Technology School Basics – The Open Source World
Open source technology is slightly different from the fare that you would find from Microsoft and other, similar companies. The biggest difference is that open source software is governed by the GPL, which means it can be shared, modified, and used free of charge. There are some Linux distributions that do make use of closed source agreements and design, such as Redhat and Suse, but at their core, they can all be modified by the community. So what does that mean for businesses exactly? Well, first of all, it means that the community is constantly working on fixes and patches for some of the bigger issues. Secondly, it’s going to be a lot less expensive.
The Less Expensive Option
Linux is always going to be the less expensive option, especially when it comes to server operating systems. Take the Windows server package as an example – it usually costs $999. We can only assume that it’s $999 to make it seem slightly less than $1000, ultimately making frugal CEOs think that they’re getting a deal. Okay, that might not be entirely accurate, but you have to wonder. Then you have the commercial Linux distributions (distros) which cost somewhere around $100 to $200 and are not nearly as proprietary. The choice is pretty clear here, isn’t it?
It’s More Secure
Another point that we really want to touch on is the level of security that Linux provides. This is not to say that Windows is an insecure operating system, but there are two points that we want to cover:
Patch Delays – Any security issues that become apparent within the Windows Operating System are going to be addressed, but the question is when? Because it is a proprietary operating system, you cannot expect community members to be addressing the issues. You will have to wait for Microsoft’s dev team to work on them, and you will have to adhere to their release schedule. Linux, on the other hand, is maintained by the community and many of the security flaws are addressed immediately. You can already see how this will benefit you.
Inherent Security – One of the reasons that Linux can boast better security is the Root login system. Unless the user is logged in as root, they will not be able to effect any changes to the operating system, which is what makes it so effective for cybersecurity. This is not to say that there is no way to this implementation, but it does mean it is much more difficult to attack.
Linux is the Future
Linux has been taking hold rapidly as far as cyber security is concerned. More than a few companies have found it to be less expensive, and more secure, and as of late, it is even becoming more user-friendly. As you progress through information technology college, you will undoubtedly find that it becomes the topic of conversation more than once. The future is here, and its name is Linux.
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