The debate between fans of macOS and users of Windows isn’t ending anytime soon. There is no doubt that Windows 10 comes with some interesting innovations that pamper users to the max, but macOS has tricks like Sidecart up its sleeves. Both operating systems are loved by different groups of people.
One of the things that gets mentioned frequently in this age-old debate is how Macs are more secure than Windows PCs. The big question is whether they really are…
Both Operating Systems Are Getting Better
Let’s get one thing out of the way first; both Windows and macOS are getting more secure by the day. As Microsoft puts more focus on Windows 10, bugs and security holes found in the system get fixed and patched at a faster pace.
At the same time, macOS continues to add new security features that make it incredibly safe for everyday users. Similar to Microsoft, Apple is working hard to make sure that all known security holes are patched quickly.
We’ve passed the days of having to rely on multiple third-party solutions to secure Windows, but we are also past the days of not using an antivirus or a firewall to secure Macs. In general, the two operating systems are reaching an equilibrium in terms of security.
Limited Hardware as an Advantage
There is one advantage that Windows PCs don’t have, and that is the limited, well-controlled ecosystem of Apple devices. Apple handpicks the components they use in their Macs. There is only a handful of components used too.
This makes the task of securing macOS relatively easier. Both operating systems run on the x86 platform, but Apple don’t have to deal with hardware fragmentation, allowing it to release security patches and bug fixes faster.
The result is a safer ecosystem in general. Macs still need to be updated and maintained, but securing Macs and Apple devices in general is a lot easier than safeguarding Windows PCs. Apple even work hard to provide developers with libraries, so they don’t have to access macOS directly.
It’s Only Getting Better
Despite the differences between the two ecosystems, sufficient information security measures are still needed if you want to be completely safe. You cannot rely solely on the operating system to protect your sensitive information.
Adding a firewall, or using the built-in firewall, and an anti-malware is still a necessary step to take. Knowing how to handle a cyberattack and its aftermath helps too. At the very least, you need to maintain backups of your files for easy recovery.
There are more data recovery options too. SecureDataRecovery.com is known to be able to restore severely damaged files. It can even handle cases of hardware failure with the recovery technologies integrated into the company’s services.
That brings us back to our question: are Macs really safer than PCs? This may spark a debate in the Comments section, but Macs are indeed safer than Windows PCs at this point. The safer base operating system (Unix), the limited hardware variations, and the fact that the entire Apple ecosystem is closely controlled make macOS the leader in this aspect.