Linux distros operate differently from Windows.
Many of these differences are even noted by the users, often by complaining about having to sign in to access Root.
Linux shows more security than Windows:
- On Linux, by default, you must enter your Root Password in order to install Software or make changes in the core system.
- On Windows, by default, you are set as an administrator upon install, allowing you to click on "Run as admin" regularly without ever entering a password.
Installing Software:
- On Linux, you install software from vetted repositories. On Windows, you can find any .exe created by anyone and download and install it, without it being vetted nor stored in a secure repository.
- Linux is open source whereas Windows is proprietary. Open Source software can be examined, tested and poked by any white hat. Windows proprietary software cannot be probed except by professionals with access to the source code.
- Linux uses Package Managers for installation of software. Windows does not - you can grab any .exe package that you found lying around on the ground with flies landing on it.
Security patches:
- Windows only provides security patches for Windows and Windows created applications. They leave security patching of independent applications up to those package maintainers. This is a large gaping security hole in Windows.
- Linux uses vetted repositories to supply packages to users, which puts all applications under the same security umbrella.
Handling of Memory:
- Windows does not provide any buffer between UserSpace and the kernel. This allows Random Access Memory to easily be accessed from within USerSpace opening it up for malware.
- Linux has several buffers between the kernel and User Space. Any malware potentially included in a package gained outside of the package management system will not gain access to the kernel.
Linux is more secure than Windows in part due to how Linux is built from the ground up. Linux has clearly defined parameters for User Permissions; which we directly observe being frequently asked about on this forum.
Linux has far fewer exploitable avenues than Windows does, as demonstrated above in regards to repositories and package managers.
It is far better to examine the parameters and attributes than to make speculative assumptions.