If you’ve ever heard that Linux is very secure, or someone asked you why you don’t use Linux, and your first thought was…
It’s for programmers.
It’s complicated.
It’s not for regular people.
It’s for weird people who don’t want to use Windows.
It’s boring.
And so on…
Well, I get you—I thought the same at first.
When I first heard about a Linux system, I thought all that and more. I didn’t want to leave Windows because it was the only operating system I had known for years. I used it my whole life, and switching didn’t sound like a good idea—or so I thought.
I lived thinking Linux was only for hackers, or programmers, or antisocial geniuses… BUT
No, it’s not like that. Linux is not what you think.
Myth 1: “Linux is for experts”
False. Completely false. What’s curious is that it can actually be even easier to use than Windows, depending on the distribution you choose.
Take Linux Mint for example—it’s like they took Windows, removed all the problems, made it clean, fast, and optimized, and gave it to you for free.
When I installed Linux Mint for the first time, I expected a black screen or having to install everything using commands… BUT surprise: it was all relatively easy. One click here, another there, and everything ready. You don’t need to use commands.
For me, it’s a very complete system, and also simple, good-looking, and fast.
Myth 2: “There are no programs for Linux”
That’s a lie. Of course there are programs for Linux. Every program you can find on Windows—you can find a similar version on Linux. But FREE and without paying.
And some Windows applications even work well with Wine, a Linux program.
Quick example: All the Windows browsers? You have them on Linux.
Editing documents? On Linux, you have LibreOffice, OnlyOffice, WPS Office, and more.
Editing images? GIMP, Krita, Inkscape.
Music? Audacity, VLC, Spotify, etc.
And if you’re looking for something different, in Linux you’ll definitely find a free alternative.
Myth 3: “You can’t play games on Linux”
Half true, half false. I’ll be honest as always—in this area, Linux falls a bit behind because it wasn’t made for gaming.
Yes, you can play some games using Steam + Proton, and many Windows games run well—some perfectly, some with small issues. BUT it’s a somewhat new tool that keeps improving daily.
However, emulators and indie games run very well on Linux.
Let’s say, if you want to casually game, Linux works fine. BUT if you’re a hardcore gamer and want to play the latest releases, you probably won’t be able to—unless the game has a Linux version or it works through Steam or Proton.
Myth 4: “Linux is ugly”
Ugly? Where…
Here’s where you realize people are just wrong on this point. Linux is even more customizable than Windows.
It has many ready-to-use themes, and you can change every aspect of the desktop—icons, colors, fonts, screen, windows, menus… EVERYTHING. Literally everything.
Want it to look like Windows? You can.
Want it to look like macOS? You can.
Want a minimalist hacker-style theme? You can.
Linux has thousands of themes and designs to try.
Myth 5: “You have to use the terminal for everything”
False and false. That’s a lie. Here’s a quick example: I’ve used Mint for a month since I installed it, and I’ve used the terminal only once.
It’s enough to just use its software manager to install everything—and that’s it.
Myth 6: “Linux is insecure because anyone can mess with the code”
That’s false. It’s actually the opposite. Since it’s open-source code, thousands of people are constantly reviewing it. That means that if an error or failure shows up, it gets fixed quickly.
Windows depends on a single company that decides when to fix something, when to update something, and you as a user just follow their rules.
Linux is different—it has a huge community, and they work to fix issues for you.
One more detail: Linux is so secure that most Linux users don’t even use antivirus. That’s the level of security.
I’ve told you some myths, but what about the truths?
Truth 1: Linux is fast. VERY fast.
I had a laptop from 2015 that would make noise when booting, took forever to start, and once inside, you’d open something and wait minutes. It was like waiting for it to load.
I installed Linux Mint XFCE—a lightweight version made for older computers.
It boots fast, doesn’t lag, opens everything quickly—it came back to life. It even feels like I just bought it.
Linux revives low-resource, older machines and gives them new purpose.
Truth 2: It’s truly private
Linux doesn’t spy on you. It doesn’t send data. It has no hidden telemetry. It doesn’t send your history to any company.
It’s one of the few operating systems that actually respects your privacy and doesn’t use your information to sell things.
And if you don’t like something, you just uninstall it—and that’s it.
Truth 3: It updates when YOU want
In Windows, something happens that has probably happened to you. You go to turn on or shut down your PC, and it forces you to update, and sometimes you just don’t have time to wait—but it makes you wait anyway.
That doesn’t happen in Linux. You update when YOU want.
And the updates are fast, lightweight, small, and they don’t break things every time.
Truth 4: The community is your best support
This is absolutely true. Linux has a wide, socially kind community where you can go if you have any issue—and they’ll help you.
If you search well, you’ll even find someone who already went through the same thing, and got help, and you’ll see how they solved it.
Linux has forums, groups, Telegram chats, etc. It’s a massive community.
So… is it worth using Linux?
I’ll tell you something: If you’re comfortable with Windows, or you’re a hardcore gamer—stay with Windows.
But if you ever get tired of being spied on, of lag, of slowdowns, of software problems, annoying updates, viruses that infect even your antivirus… you could give Linux a try.
Linux isn’t perfect—but it comes very close. Plus, you’ll learn with it, and maybe give your computer better use than just gaming.
You can even try Linux—any distro—from a USB, without deleting or losing anything. You could try it first.
In summary:
Linux is not ugly, and it’s not what you think.
It’s not difficult, it’s very secure, it respects your privacy.
It’s not just for experts.
It’s free, open, and yours.
You have the option to try it—or keep believing it’s not for you.
Leave a comment and tell me if you gave it a try, and how it went for you.
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