Discover Why ChromeOS is Your Best Security Choice

When it comes to technology, security serves as the safety lock on your company’s digital life. It safeguards sensitive information, mitigates risks, and ensures the integrity of systems. Without having solid security measures in place, technology becomes vulnerable to cyber threats, compromising user privacy, financial stability, and overall trust in digital infrastructure.

Your employees shouldn’t need to be IT security experts to work safely online. Thankfully, ChromeOS is built on an advanced security infrastructure based on Zero Trust principles, where no user or device is automatically trusted. This ensures every device is ready to use straight out of the box, saving your organisation time and money on additional security configurations.

In fact, according to a recent competitive analysis report by Atredis Partners, ChromeOS is the most secure operating system out of the box when compared to Windows 11 and macOS.1 With ChromeOS, every login and file download undergoes rigorous security verification. Let’s delve into the key findings from the report that highlight how ChromeOS protects users, data, and devices comprehensively.2

ChromeOS devices start up securely every time.

ChromeOS utilises Verified Boot to inspect firmware changes each time a device starts up, setting a higher default security standard compared to macOS and Windows 11. If it identifies unfamiliar code, ChromeOS automatically reverts to a previous version, ensuring continuous device safety.

User data is encrypted by default.

Data stored on the disk is encrypted using distinct credentials for each user, and guest user data is promptly erased upon logout, making ChromeOS particularly suitable for shared devices. Unlike Windows 11 and macOS, which require specific configurations for encryption and may allow administrators access to others’ data, ChromeOS ensures stringent data security by default.

There are no admin users in ChromeOS.

ChromeOS eliminates root or admin-level user types, minimising potential system vulnerabilities. While users can make restricted system adjustments in Developer Mode, they do not gain the same privileges as admin users, effectively reducing the attack surface compared to other operating systems.

ChromeOS automatically protects users against online threats.

The Chrome browser’s integrated Safe Browsing feature safeguards over 5 billion users daily by isolating each web page to prevent interference with other tabs, apps, or device functions. Unlike macOS and Windows 11, ChromeOS employs a segmented system architecture where essential system files are fully isolated. This approach ensures that even if you encounter a malicious app or file, it cannot compromise your device’s firmware.

Attackers can’t remotely access
ChromeOS devices.

ChromeOS employs an advanced firewall defense system that blocks criminals from manipulating service discovery protocols to redirect systems to unauthorised resources. In contrast, macOS and Windows 11 also utilise firewall defenses but are more vulnerable to attacks via protocols not blocked by ChromeOS’s robust firewall protection.

The Google Security Chip thwarts attacks.

The Google Secure Microcontroller (H1) enhances security across ChromeOS by safeguarding encryption keys and local data. It effectively prevents brute-force attacks, where attackers attempt millions of password or PIN combinations to gain unauthorised access.

Automatic updates mean you always have the latest protection.

On macOS, users occasionally need to accept new terms of service or re-enter their password. Windows 11 updates only when manually configured to do so, unlike ChromeOS, where updates occur automatically in the background. ChromeOS notifies users if a system reboot is necessary after updates. Due to its integrated design, ChromeOS updates all components simultaneously with a single system update.

1 When contrasted with macOS and Windows 11, ChromeOS offers the most secure experience.
2 A commissioned study conducted by Atredis Partners on behalf of Google, “Google ChromeOS Security Competitive Analysis Report”, April, 2024.
3 As of 2024, there has been no evidence of any documented, successful virus attack or ransomware attack on ChromeOS. Data based on ChromeOS monitoring of various national and internal databases.