[SpookyZalost]

so here's the big thing regarding linux and security.

the main deal is that the linux user account system is more secure (to the point that windows has been trying to emulate it.)

this goes back to how things were done on unix, but basically when someone does something without an admin account they can't edit system files without a password, this includes passwords on the computer, network passwords, basically they're stuck in the user directory and what that user has access too.

in this way, unless the hacker/virus can get root it's sorta stuck making it more secure against attacks.

this is why the few linux viruses that do exist really only work when installed on root via social engineering or by sneaking in through some exploit or another which are rare and quickly patched thanks to the code being looked at by the community.

it also helps that there's a stigma against software needing to use root to run.

that's the other security advantage.
the majority of exploits, security flaws, etc with new releases are found very quickly and patched by dedicated users. I'm sure @Lain knows what I'm talking about.