It is free. It’s safer. And no more annoying Windows updates! The Government of India plans to replace the Windows operating system of the Defense Ministry computers with a new native operating system called Maya OS. The new operating system (OS) is also a challenge for the government, but the ministry claims that Maya OS is being introduced to combat cyber threats and also to reduce the dependence of the OS on global technology companies like Microsoft. Remember, Maya OS is free, so the government no longer has to spend to get genuine Windows licenses or pay for expensive Microsoft Word and other services.

The idea is quite simple – cybercriminals create malware and viruses for any popular platform. The popularity of the platform helps the rapid spread of malware. The majority of PC users around the world use Windows, making it a prime target for hackers. Another aspect to consider is that when data is exchanged via e-mails, USB pen drives, portable hard drives, routers, or any other terminal or platform, hackers usually send a Windows payload, making government agency computers highly vulnerable.

Now, when a Windows malware is delivered to a computer running Maya, the malware has virtually no effect. Emails containing malware-encoded PDFs, JPEGs, Excel spreadsheets and documents are generally seen as a primary entry point for hackers. So if a government official downloads an important PDF file from an email, not knowing that the PDF file is embedded with Windows malware, there’s not much the malware can do on a computer running Maya.

Another round of protection comes from the “Chakravyuh” homemade antivirus system that isolates data. Chakravyuh comes with Maya OS.

The government is ready to introduce Maya OS by the end of the year. But what is the origin of MayaOS, what features does it offer and will popular apps work on the new operating system? Here is a detailed explanation of the new desi OS for computers.

Maya OS – New Desi platform?

Maya OS has been “developed” by the Ministry of Defense, which plans to use it in the Army, Navy and other forces by the end of the year. According to the ministry, Maya OS is based on the open source Ubuntu platform, which is a distribution of the Linux operating system. There are now about 300 active Linux distributions, including Fedora, Peppermint, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu. However, Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distribution and there are at least 50 derivatives of Ubuntu, the most popular of which are Linux Mint, Elementary OS, Ubuntu Kylin and others.

The reason people choose to develop Ubuntu derivatives is simple: it allows users to customize settings as they wish while still being able to use Ubuntu applications. It’s also easy to find drivers that support Ubuntu for peripherals like keyboard, mouse, printers, etc. So Maya OS is just another Ubuntu derivative with access to free popular Ubuntu apps. The Ubuntu app store offers free options for Microsoft Word, Photoshop, browsers, etc. This greatly reduces government software licensing costs.

Besides Apple’s macOS and Microsoft’s Windows, Linux distributions are the most popular operating systems used worldwide for various purposes. In fact, Windows is also “a lot inspired” by Linux.

The ministry has designed a user interface and functionalities for the platform, which aim to prevent possible cyber threats caused by bad actors. The operating system was reportedly developed in six months with the help of a dedicated team from agencies such as Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and National Informatics Center (NIC). ).

The name Maya OS is derived from the Hindi word illusion. The name Maya is said to refer to the idea of hackers encountering an illusion while trying to breach a Defense Department system. The operating system gets a layer of protection in the form of Chakravyuh, an anti-malware and anti-virus version of Maya OS that wants to block access to these malicious actors who seek to compromise data.

Maya OS – Like Microsoft Windows, but more secure than Windows

The user interface of the Ubuntu-based Maya OS has a very Windows-like feel, which makes it easier for users to understand because they are already familiar with the features and functions of the operating system. Apart from this, Maya OS also offers support for cloud storage, biometric authentication and digital signatures. In fact, even for personal use, you can buy a laptop with free DOS or no Windows for less and install Ubuntu on it. Access the free Ubuntu app store. Although the apps may look different, it’s just a matter of getting used to it.

The Ministry of Defense has set a deadline of the end of 2023 for installing Maya OS on all its registered computers. It is expected that the new indigenous operating system will also be used in the systems used by the army, navy and air force in the near future.