Google will stop using Windows on their machines!

This news just came out in the Financial Times: "Google gets rid of Windows for security reasons." Google has decided to migrate its computer network to other operating systems, abandoning the Microsoft OS. It is speculated that the latest attacks that the search engine has received by Chinese hackers has been one of the triggers for this decision. Linux-based systems and Mac computers will be the options that Google employees will use.

Google has already started phasing out internal use of Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows operating system primarily for security reasons, according to several Google employees.

The directive to move to other operating systems began in January, after attacks that Google suffered from China, and could effectively end the use of Windows at Google, which employs more than 10.000 workers internationally.

“We no longer use Windows. It's a security effort, ”said a Google employee.

"Many people have turned away from Windows, especially Mac OS, following the China hacking attacks," said another.

New hires now have the option of using Apple Mac computers or PCs with Linux operating systems. "Linux is open source and we feel good about it," said one employee. "With Microsoft we don't feel so good."

As of early January, some new hires are still allowed to install Windows on their laptops, but it wasn't an option for their desktops. Google did not comment on its current policy.

Windows is known to be more vulnerable to hacker attacks and more susceptible to computer viruses than other operating systems. The greater number of attacks on Windows has to do with its prevalence, which has made it a bigger target for attackers, but it is not the only factor. Windows obviously suffers from serious security flaws, regardless of how many people use it.

Employees who want to stay on Windows require "very high standards," said one employee. "Obtaining a new Windows machine now requires CEO approval," said another employee.

In addition to being a semi-formal policy, employees have shown increased concern about security since the attacks from China. "In particular, since the China scare, a lot of people here are using Macs to be more secure," said one employee.

Employees said it was also an effort to steer the company on Google products, including its upcoming Chrome operating system, which will compete with Windows. "A lot of this is an effort to use Google products," said the employee. "They want to do things in Chrome."

Chinese piracy did nothing more than precipitate a measure that was already making the rounds. "Before the security issue came up, there were directives to start using Google products more," said the employee. "It has been a long time."

The decision created discontent among a few Google employees, who will now have to stop using Windows - an unusual feature in large companies. However, many employees were relieved that they could still use Mac and Linux. "There would have been more upset people if Mac had been banned instead of Windows," he added.

Google and Microsoft compete on many fronts, from web search, to web-based email, to operating systems.

While Google is the undisputed leader in search, Windows remains the world's most popular operating system by a wide margin, with multiple versions accounting for more than 80 percent of installations, according to research firm Net Applications.