Which is the most secure operating system ever?
 

Hi all.

I was just wondering, which is the most secure OS in the world? I have read several reviews about this topic. Some of them praised OpenBSD, some of them said Linux from scratch, Trusted Solaris, or some totally custom-made/self-made OS could be the most secure one. Maybe something extremely private, that only some goverment agencies are using? Or perhaps something else? :)

The most secure OS in the world is the one that isn't connected to any network.

[ I am stepping onto my soapbox, please forgive me ]
1. All the reports, surveys, magazines, rants, rave or whatever else out there are simply a collection of data based on their study. For instance, microsoft will say that IIS is the most used web server in the world. I think most people would agree that apache beats it in number of installs out there, but since I said 'Most used' that could mean that more http requests go to IIS servers. That simply means that the number of requests to windowsupdate.microsoft.com account for 100 Billion individual requests. It was a MS study about MS products.

2. No OS is more secure than any other "Out of the Box". You have to take your time with firewalls, services, processes, ports, switches, routers, IDS, any probably a lot more and your never really secure. You might be a step ahead of the guy trying to attack you, but tomorrow he might find that 1 hole in your system.

[ Ok, I'm stepping down now. ]

As far a track records go, I do think the BSD's have a better track record than most. OpenBSD and NetBSD I think are the leaders as far as number of times those operating system get compromised, but I could be wrong.

Troll Linux rulez, of course :p

Take a computer. Encase it in concrete, and drop it into the Mariana trench. It should now be secure.

I don't think even experts could agree on a metric to use to measure the level of security.
Also, security is a process and not a state. I've seen some comparisons based on the number of security updates in the past. However that isn't neccesarily indicative of the number of unknown security issues that will be discovered in the future. The future is an unknown quantity, therefore the level of security is likewise an unkown quantity.

The world's most secure OS is my very own TimOS! Why? Because all it ever does is prints "Welcome to TimOS" + some hardware info) and then puts the CPU into an infinite loop (I don't have time to work on my OSDeving projects much. sadly).

TimOS features:
- No network, disk, or device access
- No user interface or input of any type whatsoever
- Absolutely zero support for any peripheral
- The complete inability to run any sort of user space applications (or even separate kernel threads)

Sure, it's also the most USELESS OS ever, but there are no locally or remotely exploitable holes in the OS itself. I have run it on real live hardware though :).

You'll have to tell me how it printed "Tim OS" sometime then. :D

I'd have to disagree there, I think some os's are more secure "out of the box" than others, but after applying lock down techniques and securing the system a good administrator can make a system as secure as any other.

I think we'd all agree that Windows default install is particularly weak, and that OpenBSD's 8 year record is impressive, but neither are fit for "Production Use". After applying good security techniques to both systems both will be fit for production use.

The most secure ever is 'Plan9'

Its certainly not Windows, nor Vista a MS claim...

Likely through the powers of magical pixies :p

Most secure OS? Well MS Windows 98 of course!!!

Tell you what install it fresh, make the network, fire up the browser and you're all set to take over the world.

No need for unnecessary security protocols, firewalls, anti-anywares etc. :D

Hahahahahaha :D

"...but seriously, folks..."

OK, you got me -- I did write a very primitive video driver for it :). I suppose maybe a l33t h4x0r could figure out how to use that to blow up the console monitor :D.

It just hit me. Actually you could. With enough determination and skill you can set the graphics card on fire! Remotely even.

Eeep, high-tech murder!

Keep your computers cool people.

Carrier pigeons were very secure.

Until the gun was invented.