Today we are going to talk about a platform that may sound unfamiliar to you, but in fact, unnoticeably surrounds us every day. We are going to talk about Linux. Even if this is the first time you’ve heard this word, you use services based on it on a daily basis. Whether it’s searching for information on Google, socializing on social networks or watching videos on YouTube, Linux plays an important role in all of this. This operating system is fundamental to the modern internet, but its operation is often “behind the scenes”. That’s why getting to know Linux can be fascinating: it gives you a glimpse into the “kitchen” of the digital services we’re used to and how they work.
What is Linux?
When it comes to operating systems, many people immediately think of Windows or macOS. However, Linux is something else. It is not one particular program, but rather a generic name for a huge family of so-called Unix-like operating systems. An analogy can be made with the animal world. There are many different breeds of dogs – from tiny Chihuahuas to huge St. Bernards – but they all belong to the same species “dog”. Similarly, there are many different “versions” or “builds” of Linux, but they all share a common foundation.
The Linux kernel is the “brain” of the system
The central component of any Linux operating system is the Linux kernel. It is the kernel that is responsible for the most basic and important functions. It manages all the computer resources (such as processor, memory, disks), ensures the interaction of programs with hardware and coordinates their work. When people say “Linux”, they often mean this kernel.
The magic of Open Source
One of the main features of the Linux kernel is that it is open source. What does that mean? Imagine that you invented and posted on your social networking page a recipe for a delicious cake. But that recipe is “open source”. It means that anyone can not only use it, but also modify it, improve it, add new ingredients and share their improved version with others.
This is exactly the case with Linux. Its source code is available to everyone. This offers several key advantages:
- Free: Most versions of Linux and its programs can be used for free. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of hard work behind them. It’s just that the code distribution model is different from the commercial model.
- Code accessibility: Any programmer with enough knowledge can learn how Linux works, make changes, fix bugs, or add new features.
- Community: A huge worldwide community of developers, enthusiasts, and users has formed around Linux. These people are constantly working on improving the system, its security, and creating new software.
Open source is not just about getting something for free. It is a fundamental principle that gives Linux incredible flexibility, rapid development, and a high level of security. When thousands of developers around the world can study the code, bugs and vulnerabilities are found and fixed much faster. It’s like having the best pastry chefs in the world working on your cake recipe, constantly perfecting it. This teamwork and freedom to modify is what makes Linux so powerful and reliable.
Linux distributions – “builds” for every taste
Based on the Linux kernel and a set of software, ready-to-use operating systems called distributions are created. There are a huge number of them, by some estimates about 600. Each distribution can be customized for specific purposes and users.
For example, the Ubuntu distribution is very popular among home users due to its ease of installation and friendly interface. There are distributions specifically designed for servers, for software developers, for cybersecurity specialists (e.g. Kali Linux) and even for scientific research. Interestingly, even the popular Android mobile operating system is based on the Linux kernel.
How Linux Came to Be: A Brief History for the Curious
The history of Linux began in 1991 thanks to a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds. At the time, he was studying at the University of Helsinki and was frustrated with the capabilities of the Minix educational operating system, whose license restricted its use. Linus decided to create his own operating system that would be free and open source.
On August 25, 1991, he published what became a famous post on the comp.os.minix newsgroup, where he talked about his hobby of creating a new “free” operating system. This date is considered the birthday of Linux. Initially Linus didn’t plan anything grandiose, but his idea resonated.
The key was Linus’ decision to distribute his kernel under the GNU General Public License (GPL). This license guaranteed that anyone could freely use, modify, and distribute Linux code, as long as derivative works were distributed under the same terms. This attracted many enthusiastic programmers from all over the world, who began actively helping to develop and test the kernel.
The GNU Project, founded by Richard Stallman, also played an important role in the formation of Linux. By that time, the GNU Project had already developed many of the necessary software tools – compilers (programs to turn code into executable files), text editors, a shell (an interface for entering commands), and much more. However, GNU did not have its own free and stable kernel. The kernel created by Linus Torvalds was ideal for this role. Combining the Linux kernel with GNU tools gave the world a complete, powerful, and, most importantly, free and open operating system, correctly called GNU/Linux. It was a true symbiosis: the Linux kernel got a rich set of programs, and GNU programs got a solid platform to work on. Without this cooperation and free software philosophy, Linux might not have reached such heights.
In 1996, Linux also got its official mascot, a funny penguin named Tux, drawn by Larry Ewing. He became a recognizable symbol of Linux all over the world.
Why the Internet “lives” on Linux: The main reasons for its popularity
If you look “under the hood” of the Internet, you will find that the vast majority of servers running websites, online services and applications use Linux. Why is this the case? The answer lies in the unique set of advantages of this operating system.
This popularity is no accident. It grew out of the fundamental qualities of Linux, such as openness and free availability, which attracted a huge community of developers. This community, in turn, has worked tirelessly to improve the stability, security, and performance of the system. As a result, Linux has become so reliable and efficient that both small companies and technology giants have chosen it for their servers. This is a kind of snowball effect: the better Linux got, the more it was used, which in turn stimulated further improvements.
Today, Linux servers can run for years without crashing or needing to be rebooted. This is critical for web services that need to be available to users 24/7. That’s why most of PureVPS services, including the flagship Linux VPS product, are based on AlmaLinux, one of the branches of the CentOS server distribution. But our users can choose any of the most common distributions for their server, and for some services they can install their own.
Another important feature of Linux is that this operating system is considered to be very secure. It is well protected from hacks and viruses because the open source code allows the community of developers around the world to quickly detect and fix potential vulnerabilities. And a strict access rights management system prevents programs from performing actions for which they do not have permission, which reduces the risks from malware.
Interesting fact. Virtualization systems built on the basis of Linux-platform can work inside virtual machines with almost any, including non-Linux compatible operating systems. This is how we are able to provide not only Linux VPS, but also Windows VDS hosting.
Who uses Linux? Examples that will surprise you
The extent to which Linux is used in today’s world is truly impressive. It is not just a niche system for enthusiasts; it is the workhorse that powers much of the digital infrastructure.
- Almost the entire Internet: According to W3Techs June 2025 data, Unix-like operating systems (which includes Linux) are used on 89.1% of all websites whose operating system is known. That means that when you browse the web, there’s a nearly 9 out of 10 chance you’re accessing a server running on such a system.
- Giants of the Internet:
- Google: All of Google’s server systems, from its search engine to YouTube and Gmail, run on a heavily modified version of Linux based on the Debian distribution.
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp): While Meta doesn’t always disclose details of their server OS, their active participation in open-source software development, and use of custom server solutions point to widespread use of Linux. The company is one of the largest users and contributors in open-source.
- Amazon: The world’s largest Internet marketplace and cloud service provider, Amazon Web Services (AWS), not only uses Linux extensively for its own infrastructure, but also offers it as the primary operating system for its customers. Many global services, such as streaming giant Netflix, have fully migrated their infrastructure to AWS, which involves heavy use of Linux.
- Supercomputers and Science: Absolutely all of the 500 most powerful supercomputers in the world run Linux. These machines are used for sophisticated scientific computing, climate modeling, new drug development, particle physics research, and many other cutting-edge fields. For example, CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), home to the Large Hadron Collider, uses AlmaLinux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux distributions for its computing systems.
- Your smartphone: The Android operating system, installed on billions of smartphones and tablets around the world, is based on the Linux kernel. So if you have an Android phone, you carry a piece of Linux in your pocket every day!
The power of Linux lies not in loud advertising campaigns, but in its real efficiency and reliability. The choice of Linux by such demanding and large-scale projects – from global Internet services to advanced science and everyday devices – is the best proof of that. It is a technology that has succeeded because of its intrinsic qualities and the enormous benefits it brings, not because of marketing budgets.
