First we need to clarify the title "Why Linux does not catch viruses." The purpose of this article is to present the differences between the two functionalities that allow or do not allow successful virus attacks.
Operating Linux can be infected with a virus, but it is very difficult for the reasons to be mentioned below.
One very logical thought is that because Windows exists on more computers globally, statistics alone and the number of malware should be higher. Of course, but as you will see below, Linux is a much safer system.
The biggest difference between Windows and Linux is their way of working and of course Linux being Open Source software, which means that any developer in the world can read the code and find a security gap to help repair it.
The Linux kernel is smaller and more austere than the Windows kernel. A simpler kernel does not necessarily mean that it is more secure, but it is certainly less complex in contrast to Windows where the complexity of the system leaves a lot of room for security gaps.
Linux is a heterogeneous environment. Try to install Linux and you will face a serious dilemma: Which distribution to install?
There are tons of Linux distributions and they are all different. The Linux kernel is different in each distribution since it has been configured appropriately for the different features included. Of course you won't find this in Windows where the "distribution" is one and changes version.
Για παράδειγμα, προσπαθήστε να εγκαταστήσετε drivers στο Linux. Το κάθε kernel απαιτεί διαφορετικά πακέτα για τους drivers τα οποία συνδέονται με το συγκεκριμένο kernel, σε αντίθεση με τα Windows που μερικά .exe φτάνουν να εγκαταστήσουν τους drivers σε όλους τους υπολογιστές και όλες τις εκδόσεις του λειτουργικού συστήματος της Microsoft.
With so many different forms of Linux, it makes it extremely difficult for a malicious programmer to write a virus that spreads everywhere like in Windows.
Also mention that Linux uses special commands and special functions for security reasons. Commands like sudo, chroot, yum and others help to perform some actions with increased security and root privileges.
The above is a huge advantage of Linux against Windows. We refer to the privileges of users.
To run a file on Linux you have to do it first. This means that you must have administrator or admin rights to grant specific permissions to the executable that will allow it to run.
Windows has Administrator accounts and regular user accounts, but the majority of users are logged in using the administrator account, thereby losing all the security benefits of a simple user account.
Linux uses a very smart authorization management. In Windows, you (and whatever program you install) usually have the authority to do almost everything in the system.
In Windows, if you wish, you can enter the system directory and delete whatever you want. Of course, the next start will start the trouble if you manage to get into the system. Imagine, however, that since you can erase these system files, other applications can do the same. Much less malicious people seeking administrator rights.
Linux does not allow this. Every time you ask for something to do with the system, you need to type the administrator password and if you are not the system administrator, the system will not continue. Viruses can not just erase system files because they are not authorized to do so.
Some Linux systems (distributions) are known as Security-enhanced. They contain a number of kernel modifications that make them more secure except from all that we described above. Security-enhanced distributions include Red Hat, CentOS, OpenSUSE etc.
Finally let's mention that Open Source means free. Linux is free and open source software, so the majority of its applications are open source. There are paid apps, but they are few and far between and that's why we don't mention them.
This means that freeware users will not install broken applications with cracks of dubious origin.
In addition to Software Repositories, there are also common free apps that you can download from the manufacturer's official site without risk.
Of course we should always remember that there is no real security. Linux offers more security, but don't expect it to perform miracles if you yourself aren't paying attention. Protect your personal data and privacy by avoiding storing sensitive data online.
