I never have issues installing windows. At least not in the past couple years since windows 7. I can't even remember the last time I installed it. But then I don't keep on tinkering with new applications. I do however experiment with new features. It's wsl2 not wsl. And it's almost as fast as running Linux natively. But don't believe me, believe the raw performance numbers. What custom tools do you need to tinker with windows appearance? I don't. Those who need to tweak every last font size and color, and positioning here or there are plain idiots who have nothing else to do with their time. And then they emulate windows apps that clearly are buggy and force them to run on Linux and then they spend pages over pages to solve the problems. For TRADING, mind you, you know that one area where you put your life savings on the line. How is this not plain stupid? Hey, I don't try to convince anyone to change who has a hard on for Linux. But don't tell me or others how simple Linux is when you (plural) start even on the same thread page to moan about buggy trading apps on an emulator. Windows works perfectly fine on a computer with ample resources, it is safe (never had a single security issue or breach or hack), and it let's me spend hours on my work not on fixing an OS.
Wrong, the liability is on yourself to proof the bullshit you claimed a few posts ago,none of which is true. And your link is dead. Don't be a dishonest fuxx, at least be honest when you participate in a debate or exchange.
People prefer an open-source OS like Linux also b/c of security. It's well known that Micro$hit can remotely control your computer, steal files and other information like which sites you visit, which movies you watch (incl. porn )... They sell for big money the access API secretly also to such shady clients like NSA, CIA, DHS, Mossad etc... Most of the detected "bugs" are in reality discovered such API functions. They then "fix" it with a replacement, now maybe better hidden by better crypting it... Irresponsible to trust such $hit companies like MSFT, INTC, ADBE etc.
Going back to the trading realm, there is an issue that I found often when I was looking for brokers, most assume that you can install an application on a Windows system and use it as a gateway. They offer a stand-alone application that will run on Windows only and they don't bother to update it to any other system. That's why top brokers offer a Linux version of their software. They can make the difference there. Fortunately the days when you had to install an application to connect to your broker are staying behind, leaving enough room for a standard API, Rest based, where you can use your preferred language and OS of choice
I'm using Linux And have a very restrictive Firewall: every connection must be granted by me! It's a little bit extra work to do, but one does it just once for each address.
Most companies nowadays also support Apple (Mac) explicitly. Since the MacOS is much similar to Linux/Unix they then also support Linux, especially if the application is written in Java, like in case of TWS (and I think also in case of ToS), since Java is easily portable to any platform.
I guess most brokers simply cater to their client needs, and most run windows OS. In most cases it is not worth the effort for them to offer applications on other operating systems. I have not checked lately, does IB offer their gateway with a native Linux version?
I did the penetration testing course from offensive security back in the day, when I was using win7 and they laughed at me big time. They literally did not allow people to connect to the class with a windows OS, it was too easy to break into. We spent most of the time trying to break into each other OS than studying what we had to. Obviously Win OS nowadays have come a very long way and are way more robust, but if you join a corporate environment that runs Windows they don't allow employees to install anything on their laptops. So still it is a gruyere chess when it comes to security, full of holes. And to be completely fair it is because there's more people trying to break a windows OS than any other. Check the polish magazine Hakin9, they love posting articles on how to break into Windows.
Same for Windows. I can configure their built in firewall to block all ports that are not natively used by windows and need to grant access if an application needs an additional port. But my first firewall has always been a hardware based Cisco one that has done so far a fantastic job.