Operating System Security

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What Does Operating System Security Mean?

Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability.

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OS security refers to specified steps or measures used to protect the OS from threats, viruses, worms, malware or remote hacker intrusions. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised.

Techopedia Explains Operating System Security

OS security encompasses many different techniques and methods which ensure safety from threats and attacks. OS security allows different applications and programs to perform required tasks and stop unauthorized interference.

OS security may be approached in many ways, including adherence to the following:

  • Performing regular OS patch updates
  • Installing updated antivirus engines and software
  • Scrutinizing all incoming and outgoing network traffic through a firewall
  • Creating secure accounts with required privileges only (i.e., user management)
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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.