Security Features

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the operating system which controls each and every task the computer does. The operating system has various "mindsets", commonly known as "flavors" or types. The most familiar one is the Windows Operating System, which has the Windows XP and the Windows Vista as its current flavors. The paper then states that there are also other operating systems such as the open source Linux and UNIX, but the most important consideration in terms of operating systems are the security features. The paper also briefly outlines the security features for the systems mentioned in the paper. The paper confirms that with the various threats surrounding information systems, security features must be the primary criteria in operating systems usage. The paper concludes that secure and robust operating systems play a key role in keeping a computing environment safe and secure.

From the Paper:

"Linux is an open source operating system "re-engineered" by Linus Torvalds of Finland. The term re-engineered is used because despite claims that it is not strictly "UNIX," the Linux operating system is based on the UNIX kernel. Between Windows and Linux, there is an ongoing battle of "which is which is better." In terms of usability and commonality features, Windows stands out since this has been the thrust of Bill Gates and company ever since. But Linux - even its desktop variant - seems to be difficult to mange because it is not as commonly used as Windows although it has its truly rewarding security features. In Petreley's 2004 article Security Report: Windows vs. Linux: An Independent Assessment, he lists four key security features of the Linux operating system."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chandan, B.N. New Security Features in Solaris 10 and DTrace. June 2005. 16 June 2007. <http://www.first.org/conference/2005/papers/chandan-b.n-paper-1.pdf>.
• Microsoft TechNet. What's New in Security for Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition. 17 February 2003. 16 June 2007. <http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457059.aspx>.
• Miller, Roland III E. Mac OS X 10.0 Security Essentials. 21 August 2001. 16 June 2007. <http://www.sans.org/reading_room/whitepapers/apple/237.php>.
• Northrup, Tony. Windows Vista Security and Data Protection Improvements. 01 June 2005. <http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsvista/aa905073.aspx>.
• Petreley, Nicholas. Security Report: Windows vs. Linux: An Independent Assessment. 22 October 2004. 16 June 2007. <http://www.theregister.co.uk/security/security_report_windows_vs_linux/>.

More papers on Security Features:

• Analytical Essay # 110950 : "Wireless Transport Layer Security"
• Essay # 33127 : "Computer Operating System Security"
• Term Paper # 6475 : "Firewall Security"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: