Google's Engineering Director has promised that its forthcoming Chrome OS will see the end of malware.
Google is promising what the latest issue of New Scientist magazine refers to as "a carefree antivirus nirvana" with its forthcoming Google Chrome OS.
Linus Upson, Google's Engineering Director, has promised the company is: "Completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work."
Chrome browser patched
Ironically, Google is also in the news this week due to security flaws in its Chrome browser.
Two of the most recent Google Chrome web browser security flaws (one relating to malicious code exploitation in the Chrome tab sandbox and one relating to memory corruption in the browser tab processes) have now been fixed.
You can see the full run-down of all the latest changes over on Google's Chrome site.
So is the cloud computing future really going to be more secure than our current system of downloading regular security patches to constantly fix the software that's sitting on our hard drive?
"Downloading updates is always going to be a step or two behind the cloud approach because it takes a while to get a fix out to a PC to install it," argues Paul Jackson of Forrester Research.
And while Jackson agrees that "the cloud approach allows patches to be applied much faster" he notes that any web-based OS is still going to be at risk from malware targeting the browser or Linux.
Robert Caunt, an analyst from CCS Insight in London, notes that Google has a good record on security to date: "Its Gmail spam filter and search engine's phishing-detection is good. They know what needs doing."
Major computing brands such as Nvidia, Dell, Asus, Acer and others have already confirmed that they will be fully supporting Google's Chrome OS. Stay tuned for further Chrome OS news updates as and when we get them.
Via New Scientist
Your comments (10) Click to add a new comment
bigfreakinnews
July 21st 2009
10. Be careful how you word your news. ;)
By the way, this story has been posted on Big Freakin News (www.bfn.im)
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chromeosblog
July 21st 2009
9. I think you've made a false statement. The Google engineers aren't claiming that it'll end viruses, just make it more difficult.
http://www.chrome-os-blog.com/tech-radar-has-it-wrong-chrome-os-wont-end-viruses-173/
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bgbs
July 21st 2009
8. yes, thats a correct claim by google, because this time all the viruses are going to be in the cloud not on your desktop system.
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robertbravery
July 21st 2009
7. This is just going to fuel more viruses. It's a challenge to encourage virus writers to prove Google wrong. Brace yourselves for a virus onslaught.
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okpc
July 21st 2009
6. google is stupid. it's a claim that's going to get slammed in their face. nothing is inpenetarable.
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sidburgess
July 21st 2009
5. I am not sure why this is even a good thing. Malware/spyware/hacking has made the internet so much better. Sure, I put virus protection on my computer, but if it wasn't for the risks, we all would be highly vulnerable eventually. I am not trying to draw an Armageddon conclusion but rather just want to point out that risk of people doing bad things can promote good behavior and I am a little worried about everyone thinking they can put their guard down. Am I just worrying too much?
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aazippo3
July 21st 2009
4. Dont laugh! Afterall, Google will rule the world one day!
RT
www.be-anonymous.tk
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greggunner
July 20th 2009
3. Aren't apple also still claiming this?
bottom line is everything is exploitable in some way, a UNIX architecture however, is inherently more secure than a Windows one.
The only reason Google are confident enough to claim this is because it's not going to be a full OS, it's going to almost be a 'desktop portal' to Google's cloud based offerings.
Installations and alterations/customization will at best be very minimal so the possibility of acquiring something malicious is low.
They won't become the new Microsoft as their corporate goals are very different, this will be a netbook OS that's not good for much else. No Photoshop, iTunes, Thunderbird etc means that people will dabble but no serious computer user could commit and they will continue to use Windows/OSX/Linux as their primary.
It's almost just a Google publicity stunt.
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omegadev
July 20th 2009
2. It would be miraculous if this could be done, but then google would be putting antivirus software makers out of business. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter since there will always be guys out there who will always attempt to hack into operating systems no matter the platform. Hence if Google pulls this off, they may essentially become the new and improved Microsoft?
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d4lien
July 20th 2009
1. Red rag to a bull methinks.
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