A secure operating system focuses on internal and external security or has an external security certification. These systems have a higher level of security and are used in high-risk locations. User action plays a role in overall security, but safeguards exist to maintain a basic level of security.
A secure operating system generally refers to one of two things; an operating system that focuses heavily on internal and external security, or an operating system that has an external security certification. Either way, these operating systems have a higher level of security than an average system. As a result, a secure operating system is typically used in locations that store important data or are at serious risk of attack.
Several operating systems focus on security as one of their main building points. These systems often have secure features and lightweight encryption built right into their code. This is in contrast to a normal operating system which usually relies on third party programs. Because these programs aren’t loaded as part of the operating system, there’s always a small window in which to ignore them. On a secure operating system, protections are indistinguishable from and unremovable from the operating system as a whole; therefore, it is much more difficult to bypass them.
Some of these secure operating systems are designed for a specific use and nothing else. For example, programming inside a hardware firewall or authentication server is often a variation on a common operating system. In these cases, the system still exists; it has simply been reduced to the simple functionality required for security protocols.
Some standard operating systems will receive an endorsement from an external security system. This type of secure operating system is generally very similar to a common user version, often with some minor changes. These changes make some areas of the system more secure, but do not change the general methods and operations of the system.
Typically, a secure operating system is used in a high-risk location. The operating system will provide a first level of defense against intrusions and data theft. Even with a security-oriented operating system, it’s not unusual to find other layers of encryption and protection on your computer. These third-party add-on programs will overcome any deficiencies in the built-in programs and further protect your system.
Even with a secure operating system, user action plays a huge role in overall security. For the average user, security often takes a back seat to usability. As a result, many users will disable certain security systems once they get in the way of using the computer. On many secure systems, safeguards exist to prevent user interference or to automatically re-enable the safeguards. This will help maintain a basic level of security, even if specific operations are disrupted.
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