Google bans staff from using Windows amid security worries- report
- Added:
- Jun 01, 2010
Google is reportedly phasing out the use of Microsoft's operating system amongst its staff due to security concerns.
According to a report in The Financial Times, the search giant has already begun to migrate its systems to the Mac OS platform.
The paper cites several Google employees, who stated the move away from Microsoft began in earnest in January after Google's Chinese operations were hacked, and could mean the end of Windows at Google.
"Many people have been moved away from [Windows] PCs, mostly towards Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks," an employee was quoted as saying.
New hires can use Apple Macs or PCs running the the Linux operating system, and getting a new Windows machine requires high-up approval, said another employee.
Another said much of the move has to do with Google's forthcoming competing operating system, Chrome OS.
Google has not commented specifically on the rumours. "We're always working to improve the efficiency of our business, but we do not comment on specific operational matters," said the company in a statement.
The move highlights a growing tension between Google and Microsoft, which are competing in an increasing number of areas. Google’s own operating system, Chrome OS, (due to launch later this year) will compete directly with Windows, while Google and Microsoft both have their own mobile operating systems.
The recent launch of Microsoft's Bing search engine was an attempt to claw back some market share from Google, while both companies offer free web-based email and instant-messaging services.
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