Google closes open Windows
Google’s decision to ban Windows for internal use, ostensibly for security reasons, has stoked criticism from commentators that the move doesn’t make sense.
Staff of the digital firm are being asked to use Apple’s OS X operating system or an open source Linux platform instead following a “sophisticated” and “targeted” attack on Google’s systems by Chinese hackers who exploited a loophole in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to access the GMail accounts of human rights activists. Many believe the attack had the backing of the Chinese government.
Analysts however consider Macs to be vulnerable to targeted attacks as well and that the move won’t make Google any safer. John Pescatore, an analyst at Gartner who specialises in security issues told Computerworld: “If [hackers] know that Google uses Macs, then they'll just target the company with Mac malware. And Mac malware exists."
Windows has been subject to numerous security scares over the years but Microsoft stress: “Would it make any difference if the victims were running Linux or any other operating system if an attacker builds such a sophisticated profile? Not remotely. Linux, Windows, Mac, whatever – everything has weaknesses. Especially the users of those systems.”
Tensions between the two companies have risen recently with Google outflanking Microsoft with their Android software for mobile platforms.