Security Experts Attack Google's Quest for Immune OS

Google made quite the controversial statement recently after attempting to shed some light concerning their new Chrome operating system. Google has raised eyebrows after promising that their customers will no longer have to worry about viruses, malware and security updates.

In a recent blog entry, Google announced that the company was prepared to "go back to the basics" and redesign the essential security foundations of the OS in such a way so that users would never again have to deal with viruses, malware and the need for constant updates.

It didn't take long for a number of security experts to chime in and offer their insight regarding this powerful assertion. Almost all agree that not Google, nor anyone else for that matter, will ever be able to deliver on that promise.

While many insiders would agree that redesigning an operating system from a security-first standpoint would earn the new Chrome OS top billing in regards to the "most secure operating system on the market," it should be noted that this is much different than the outlandish claim of being able to immunize an OS from all viruses and malware.

"An Idiotic Claim"

One particular chief security expert, Bruce Schneier, went so far as to call Google's promise "an idiotic claim". Said Schneier, the creation of such an operating system would be as impossible as 2 plus 2 equalling 3! (Source: macworld.co.uk)

Brian Chess, cofounder and chief security officer at cyber security vendor Fortify Software, said that Google possesses all of the tools needed to make an exceptional operating system from a security standpoint, but the company must first accept that no system can ever be 100% secure.

Make Top Security a Default Setting

Chess went on to suggest that Google could, for example, make top security a default setting in the Chrome OS, instead of requiring users to change their setting to make their OS more secure. Google could also build in safeguards that stop users from downloading a virus when they click on a link in an email. (Source: yahoo.com)

While all are valid points, the fact remains that Google will first have to deliver on their promise of producing a more secure operating system, before making claims that suggest ALL of their customers will be protected against viruses and malware.