The Security of a Chromebook Vs. a Windows Laptop Explored

Hackers are constantly at work developing new ways to overcome security measures. They take advantage of even the smallest of flaws, which is why only a system that’s been designed to be secure from the ground up is the only thing that has a hope of stopping their attacks.

Let’s take a look at the security of Chromebooks compared to Windows-based laptops to see which of the two will provide you with the best security.

Understanding Windows Computers

The target hackers frequent the most has and likely will always be Windows computers. Their nature of customization and flexibility is also one of the reasons they’re so vulnerable to hackers.

For example, consider how computers running Windows have evolved. They have different hardware components with software developed by different companies. The kernel, which manages how your computer acts, must resolve any conflicts between drivers, software and hardware in whatever ways it can.

The problem with this is that it leaves hackers with an overwhelming amount of glitches and bugs that they can exploit to gain entry into your system. Something as seemingly simple as a keyboard driver can be modified to track your keystrokes.

Another potentially dangerous aspect of Windows laptops is that they allow you to install any program on them. That cute flash game or seemingly innocent web browser bar may be the digital Trojan Horse that hackers use to gain entry into your system.

This means that some of the things that make Windows laptops so versatile are also what can make them dangerous.

How Chromebook Tackles Security

Chromebooks come as you receive them. They’re designed to use just one set of parts, which means that there are significantly fewer bugs that could be used against your machine.

They tackle the dangers posed by installing applications by simply disallowing the installation of any programs whatsoever. Chromebooks are designed to be little more than laptops that can interact with web pages using Google Chrome, which means most viruses and malware are rendered ineffective.

Chromebooks do allow you to install extensions and apps from the Chrome store, but they do so with the utmost caution. Only safe applications can be installed by authorized users.

This leads to the next point of security: Chromebooks restrict guests to little more than browsing the web. They cannot install apps. They can’t view websites you’re logged in to on your account. Their data is erased as soon as they log out.

Another major feature of Chromebooks is the fact that they encrypt all your files. This makes it so the only way hackers can gain access to your files is if you send them to them or if they obtain your Google account password.

How Secure are Chromebooks?

Chromebooks should be more secure than Windows laptops. They are strict as to what software they allow to be installed, they have default security settings designed to keep you safe, and they have significantly fewer exploitable bugs than Windows computers.

While Chromebooks are designed to be significantly more secure than Windows laptops, hackers can still break into them. You need to be diligent about websites you access, what data you enter and the individuals you give sensitive data.

The bottom line is that you are the first and last line of defense when it comes to keeping your computer safe. Using a Chromebook to surf the Internet only gives you a few more ways to invalidate many of the methods hackers like to use to bypass your defenses.

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