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Google 'concerned about Windows'

02 Jun 2010

Google has reportedly shunned Windows due to security concerns, prompting a staunch defence from the maker of the operating system Microsoft.

The giant US search engine company did little to kill the story when it declined to respond to an AFP inquiry, instead choosing to say: "As a rule, we don't comment on operational matters."

Microsoft had felt that reports in the Financial Times and other publications needed a fast, firm rebuttal.

In a report in The Times unnamed Google sources were quoted as saying that new members of the team are considering using Apple Macintosh computers or machines running on Linux open-source software.

Google is also believed to be interested in shifting to a Chrome operating system it is building as a rival to Windows.

"There's been some coverage overnight about the security of Windows and whether or not one particular company is reducing its use of Windows," Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft said in a blog post at the technology giant's website.

"We thought this was a good opportunity to set the record straight."

LeBlanc touted Windows safeguards and noted that security concerns have also been aimed at software built by Google and Apple.

"When it comes to security, even hackers admit we're doing a better job making our products more secure than anyone else," he said.

"And it's not just the hackers; third-party influentials and industry leaders like Cisco tell us regularly that our focus and investment continues to surpass others."

Copyright © Press Association 2010

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