Biggest security weakness: Linux vs Windows

ThunderCatSteve

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Quote from: krbtc on December 02, 2016, 07:34:50 AM

Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

Nothing is 100% safe but Linux is way more above the windows in the security field.

Windows without an antivirus, anti-malware, strict firewall apps is not much secured if we work with sensitive information or data.

krbtc

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Yep, can't disagree with the sentiment here. In fact, since I bought my first bitcoin, I only use ubuntu for my day-to-day computing needs. However, I still have a windows 7 partition for internet banking because these Korean banking services don't work on linux (funny that, stupid banks!).

The reason I asked this question is because I have a suspicious feeling that windows itself was built with backdoors so as to make it easy for 'the authorities' and 'those in the know' to steal passwords, login information, public and private keys from the casual bitcoin users. It's a well known fact that that since the days of windows XP, microsoft has built into windows backdoors to snoop around your pc. Wikileaks, Edward Snowden and friends can attest to that. Actually, using a windows pc is an invitation to get your bitcoins stolen guaranteed. Well, that what I believe.

Do you think my paranoia is justified?

cr7

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yes, when they download wallets with malware

bitcoin2anything

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No question Linux is definitely more secure.

Kprawn

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Linux is definitely more secure... I use multiple OS and boot with different OS's to do different things. I personally have had to buy expensive

Anti-virus software to protect Windows, because the Free Anti-virus was ineffective, and even with that, Windows is still ineffective. I do not

even access my wallets, when I am using Windows. The most targeted OS in my opinion is currently Android devices... because it is the most

used OS at the moment. Huh

{ Worldwide Device Shipments by Operating System in 2015 = 1.3 billion Android vs 283 million Windows }

jtipt

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Quote from: krbtc on December 02, 2016, 07:34:50 AM

Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

Like others stated, viruses are the biggest concerns of windows even with good Anti-Virus even a small mistake can make your PC vulnerable, in windows its very easy for a virus to infect a windows OS because it gives away administrator privileges very easily but in Linux no user is given the root access other than the root user therefore even virus don't get the root access and don't cause much harm(i.e steal wallet info).

iqlimasyadiqa

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Quote from: krbtc on December 02, 2016, 07:34:50 AM

Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

I chose Linux into an operating system that is more secure than Windows. Linux security is stronger and also not susceptible to a virus attack.

ArcCsch

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▲ Portable backup power source for mining.

You can use a cold boot from a Linux USB, create BIP38 encrypted paper wallets, print them, and write the encryption key on them with a pen, this bypasses vulnerabilities on the way to the printer.
I use 2x18=36 dice rolls (I use a 6x6 table to turn dice rolls into characters) of entropy (more than 93 bits), for BIP38 encryption. This is adequate protection against someone hacking your wallet on the way to the printer. The projecting strip folds in half and is concealed deep within the folds.
I am not using this wallet and never will (image is reflected horizontally, dots on characters are to resolve ambiguities):

bitbunnny

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Linux is apsolutely more secure compared to Windows regarding all theatre. But there is no 100% security so isn't the Linux. When it comes to Bitcoin I haven't heard about coins beeing stolen from Linux based computer bu it's wise to keep your coins in just one wallet so split them in multiple ones, preferably one to be hard wallet.

unamis76

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Most cases on wallet theft are most likely on WIndows, yes. There's a reason for that, a very simple one: Windows is the most widely used desktop OS. Thus virus creators tend to develop for this platform. As said, that doesn't mean you are more secure on Linux. It only depends on your knowledge level, and it probably requires more knowledge to secure a Linux system than a Windows one... So from this perspective you're probably more insecure on Linux Wink

It basically all depends on the user. Most problems are between the keyboard and the chair. So the "biggest security weakness award" goes to... us, the users.

amacar2

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Quote from: krbtc on December 02, 2016, 07:34:50 AM

Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

Linux can be considered quite secure than windows however it doesn't mean linux system can't be affected by virus.
http://www.tecmint.com/linux-operating-system-is-virus-free/

Talking about safely storing bitcoin, you better trust hardware wallet or if you want free solution try paper wallet created in offline environment.

OmegaStarScream

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Quote from: krbtc on December 02, 2016, 07:34:50 AM

Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

Linux is definitely more secure If you want to store your bitcoins as most of the viruses are build for Windows in languages like VB.NET or C# that can't be run on Linux or at least , not with the same performance.

krbtc

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Hi all, my first post here.

Just out of interest, has any posters heard of somebody being hacked and having bitcoins stolen from a Linux-based computer? I would be very interested to know if this has ever happened before. I suspect that maybe 99% of stolen bitcoin cases were with windows computers (Win XP, 7, 8.1, 10 etc.) Can anyone prove me wrong?

Topic: Biggest security weakness: Linux vs Windows (Read 899 times)