Google ditches Windows on security concerns

philip2009

philip2009

philip2009

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Google is phasing out the internal use of Microsoft’s ubiquitous Windows operating system because of security concerns, according to several Google employees.

The directive to move to other operating systems began in earnest in January, after Google’s Chinese operations were hacked, and could effectively end the use of Windows at Google, which employs more than 10,000 workers internationally.

“We’re not doing any more Windows. It is a security effort,” said one Google employee.

“Many people have been moved away from [Windows] PCs, mostly towards Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks,” said another.

New hires are now given the option of using Apple’s Mac computers or PCs running the Linux operating system. “Linux is open source and we feel good about it,” said one employee. “Microsoft we don’t feel so good about.”

In early January, some new hires were still being allowed to install Windows on their laptops, but it was not an option for their desktop computers. Google would not comment on its current policy.

Rest of article ...
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I have my doubts over how secure OS X is given its performance in things like Pwn2Own.
 
actually this bit of the article is interesting:

The move created mild discontent among some Google employees, appreciative of the choice in operating systems granted to them - an unusual feature in large companies. But many employees were relieved they could still use Macs and Linux. “It would have made more people upset if they banned Macs rather than Windows,” he added.
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it stinks of marketing ploy. id expect a lot more digs at MS between now and whenever they release the google OS

im sure theres people with more important things to keep secret than google who still use MS
 
I was reading an article earlier this year that said that macs are actually more susceptible to viruses than windows, it is just because nobody bothers to write any cause of their small market share that they are supposedly more virus free!
 
Edward01 said:
I was reading an article earlier this year that said that macs are actually more susceptible to viruses than windows, it is just because nobody bothers to write any cause of their small market share that they are supposedly more virus free!
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I think it's Safari rather than OS X that has issues.
 
So Google employees are Mac fanboys huh and by owning an Android phone I'm supporting the Mac!

Noooooooooo :(
 
The more interesting story about them is this one:

Google refuses to hand over German Street View data

Google has refused to hand over sensitive wi-fi data it says it collected accidentally, despite requests from German authorities.

The internet giant has admitted to gathering data sent over unencrypted wi-fi connections while setting up its Street View service.

Under German law it is obliged to surrender this data to the Information Commissioner.

Officials say Google missed a midnight deadline on May 27 to comply.

The search giant said in a statement that granting access to the data creates "legal challenges" in Germany, which it said it needs to review.
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Source
 
I'm surprised by this. I guess the Google OS isn't gaining ground quickly then.

Unsecure my ****. A computer is only as secure as it's sysadmin's smart. Are Google getting viruses or hacked all the time!?!

My windows (VISTA!!!!) pc has BSOD once in it's 3yr life. My macs crash routinely. Including a crash during an update that my paperweighted my work Mac Pro.

Remember kids, security through obscurity isn't really security. As macs become more popular, this escape route will be threatened.
 
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Edward01 said:
I was reading an article earlier this year that said that macs are actually more susceptible to viruses than windows, it is just because nobody bothers to write any cause of their small market share that they are supposedly more virus free!
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Im sure that is true to a certain extent but lets be honest, if you write a virus for the mac its not like you are targeting 20 people. There are millions of mac users so I cant see how that holds up.
 
I would imagine they are mostly using linux, like a lot of big business do these days. Considering their recent public fall out with Apple, it would surprise me that they would want to give them too much praise.

It also highlights that Google is most likely working on their own operating system.
 
New hires are now given the option of using Apple’s Mac computers or PCs running the Linux operating system. “Linux is open source and we feel good about it,” said one employee. “Microsoft we don’t feel so good about.”
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And yet they also feel good about the closed-source, totalitarian, hardware-locked platform that Apple offers?
 
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Just marketing really I think. Windows is the best OS in a large office environment.

It just is, no argument.

However with the resources that Google have they will probably make something better using linux.

Windows is more prone to virus attacks, but this is due to it being more popular rather than inferior. Not worth the effort for the few Mac music producers and artists.
 
starfighter said:
Windows is more prone to virus attacks, but this is due to it being more popular rather than inferior.
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So why use it when you have the option not to?

Google don't play games, and obviously can see past 1 or 2 pieces of software that aren't designed for it.

I am a Mac fanboy, but I understand the concept that it isn't some sort of godly OS which nothing can attack, but the real reasons are that there are more users. And that the user base is more people that don't fully understand a computer, and Mac have less so (not you guys.. Well not most of you).

However, it does make me think, if such a massive company like Google are using OSX and Mac, they don't just do things willy-nilly, and have done much testing and research into making this huge move, costing millions in man hours and money.

Not a marketing ploy.
 
A nonsense article to get the heat off their illegal activities over streetview. I hope the Germans rinse them through the courts.

They could certainly use the € levied from huge fines.
 
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