TECH

Which is really more secure: macOS or Windows

Apple operating systems are considered the most secure. A few years ago, Windows didn't have the same level of security compared to macOS, but now the system has become much more reliable. Thus, in 2023, a user of a Windows 11 computer does not always need an antivirus, although in the early 2000s this seemed like a utopia. However, macOS is still by far the most secure operating system on the market. Let's find out how safe mac computers are and it's true that Windows is still not that safe for users.

Check Apps on Mac...While many Mac owners ignore the App Store, it's the safest way to get apps for your computer. The main difference between Apple's proprietary app store is that it actually has a lot of useful apps. But the Microsoft Store is different so far: there aren't enough interesting programs in it, and it's harder to retrain Windows users to download software from there. Either way, the Microsoft Store is a great way to automatically update apps.

The advantage here is on the side of the Mac App Store: although in both stores the system checks programs before installation, in macOS applications work in a sandbox – in a special space that restricts programs from accessing Mac data . Windows App Store is unlikely to have infected app but it will work unrestricted as usual.

Another similarity is that apps from both stores will definitely ask for permission after the first launch before accessing the microphone or camera. So here's a fight draw.

Which browser is more secure...Safari is macOS default browser and offers a ton of computer security features. It warns you about suspicious websites and does not open them by reporting expired security certificates or malware. Each tab is loaded as a separate process, so if you run into problems, you can close it without interrupting Safari itself.

What browsers on Windows are no worse for: they recognize malicious sites and prevent them from opening – the built-in antivirus also helps with this, but it does not always work. However, it is still indispensable when downloading files and programs: malware can hide inside the archive, then the antivirus will not allow it to be unpacked and will quarantine it. Unfortunately, in this respect macOS is more secure than Windows, since installing third-party programs is not required.

Apple platform security...Apple has switched to its own chips, which are considered the most secure due to built-in protection. For example, M-series chips have a special Secure Enclave platform, which processes Touch ID information and stores passwords. Inside there is also special software for safe boot Mac, as well as a system for data encryption. Therefore, even if a virus attacks your computer, the system will still be able to boot.

At the same time, the latest models of Windows laptops come with a special TPM module, which is located on the motherboard. It encrypts data, scans running programs and prevents malware that has entered the system from running. You cannot upgrade your computer to Windows 11 without a TPM module as it is a system requirement.

And Apple computers are secure for a very simple reason: if a vulnerability is discovered, the company quickly creates a patch and installs it on your Mac thanks to the Threat Response feature. Due to this, you do not have to wait for a full update to be released, install it and restart your computer, as is still the case in Windows. One point for Mac security!

Viruses in macOS...One of the reasons macOS is safe is also because of the amount of malware. Apple computers are less popular than Windows PCs, but recently the situation is changing: in 2021 alone, there were 10 times more viruses on Mac, and now the situation continues to get worse. In particular, because of the Apple ecosystem: users with a great desire switch to Mac in order to “make friends” with an iPhone or iPad with a laptop. True, it's no secret that this can be done with Windows – we even wrote about this in our material.

An increase in the amount of malware does not mean that macOS will become less secure: Apple regularly improves the system and even pays developers a lot of money to find vulnerabilities. However, for the moment, it's worth acknowledging that Windows is fast catching up to macOS in terms of protection.

by mundophone