72 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020COMPARISON
Which is more secure, a
Chromebook or a Windows PC?
Security isn’t a question that can be answered
absolutely, but Chromebooks and Windows PCs
differ fundamentally here. The relative simplicity of a
Chromebook offers a far smaller ‘attack surface’ than
a Windows PC does. The complexity of Windows PCs,
including the software Windows supports, provides
hackers many more opportunities to attack.
Google developed Chromebooks with security
as a priority, using everything from isolated,
‘sandboxed’ processes to verified boot to help
protect your system. For people who worry about
websites that hijack your browser or download
malware, a Chromebook’s defences protect you
without making you think about it much.
Keeping a Windows PC safe is a much more
complicated business. Security starts as soon as you
begin setting up a new PC. Regular maintenance
is required for both your antivirus software and
the Windows operating system, though most
happens automatically. Still, holes are constantly
being discovered, such as the Meltdown/Spectre
vulnerabilities revealed in January 2019, as well as
the more recent Foreshadow/L1TF exploit. You have
to be vigilant, or at least not too lazy, to protect your
Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows’ built-in Windows
Defender software is far better than it used to be,
enough that Windows can basically take care of itself.
Login security works about the same on both
platforms. Logging into a Chromebook requires a
Google account and its password. While U2F hardware72 TECH ADVISOR • FEBRUARY 2020COMPARISON
Which is more secure, a
Chromebook or a Windows PC?
Security isn’t a question that can be answered
absolutely, but Chromebooks and Windows PCs
differ fundamentally here. The relative simplicity of a
Chromebook offers a far smaller ‘attack surface’ than
a Windows PC does. The complexity of Windows PCs,
including the software Windows supports, provides
hackers many more opportunities to attack.
GoogledevelopedChromebookswithsecurity
asapriority, using everything from isolated,
‘sandboxed’processestoverifiedboottohelp
protectyoursystem.For people who worry about
websitesthathijackyourbrowserordownload
malware,a Chromebook’sdefencesprotectyou
withoutmakingyouthinkaboutitmuch.
Keeping a Windows PC safe is a much more
complicated business. Security starts as soon as you
begin setting up a new PC. Regular maintenance
is required for both your antivirus software and
the Windows operating system, though most
happens automatically. Still, holes are constantly
being discovered, such as the Meltdown/Spectre
vulnerabilities revealed in January 2019, as well as
the more recent Foreshadow/L1TF exploit. You have
to be vigilant, or at least not too lazy, to protect your
Windows PC. Fortunately, Windows’ built-in Windows
Defender software is far better than it used to be,
enough that Windows can basically take care of itself.
Login security works about the same on both
platforms. Logging into a Chromebook requires a
Google account and its password. While U2F hardware