Genetic Diversity of Computer Systems & Applications

One of the things that make it very easy for attackers to exploit your computer system(s) is that you are using the same operating system and application set as millions of other users. Thus it becomes very attractive for the attackers to invest time in developing an attack. In nature different species survive various outbreaks of infections because they are genetically different and thus more resistant to a particular pathogen. The same idea can be applied to computer security to significantly reduce your risk. Consider using different applications rather than the ones that come install with your operating system, i.e. not all from the same manufacturer.

The reason for this is - if an attacker manages to find a vulnerability in an application, say a particular web browser, then you are increasing your odds of not being compromised by using a different web browser.

The alternative applications are very good and just as easy to use. Also they are generally excellent at inter-operating with each other, i.e. they can read and write each other's files. This is especially important say for word processors or spreadsheets.

So for example consider replacing the browser that comes with the operating system with one of the following: