If you need privacy you need to run Linux

So if privacy really matters to you, you need an operating system that doesn’t broadcast your moves to the World Wide Web. For all practical purposes, that means Desktop Linux.

The reason why you should use Desktop Linux is because most Linux applications, such as the LibreOffice office suite, the Evolution email client and the GIMP image editor, are every bit as good as their Windows equivalents. If you do need a specific Windows application, chances are good that Wine 2.0, a set of Windows APIs that have been ported to Linux, will let you run your program on top of Linux. For example, Microsoft Office 2013 now runs on Linux with Wine.

If you think Linux is too hard to use, think again. Modern Linux distributions are as easy to use as Windows XP ever was. In addition, Linux is less prone to vulnerabilities than Windows. For instance, Windows 10 still gets its regular share of critical patches every month.

If you want even more security, and if you’re willing to go the extra mile to get it and you’re no ordinary desktop user, try hardened Linux desktop distributions such as Kali Linux, Qubes OS and Tails. Keep in mind, though, that what you do on the internet determines your level of privacy.

Every IT professional should remember what the security guru Bruce Schneier wisely said, “Security is a process, not a product“.

Source: COMPUTERWORLD