Someone I work with keeps telling me to switch and it is very easy to get used to now because they have distros that pretty much function like Windows. I mean my main concerns as to why I am considering moving away from Windows deal with privacy as well as security. He said the chances of me ever getting a virus or malware while using Linux are extremely low and I would have to be stupid for this to happen.
Is it true? Cause I have looked it up and some places say yes, others say no. I am just not sure who to believe on this. I can understand how and why the risks are lower but not that it is next to impossible for it to happen.
Switching to Linux can potentially provide better protection against viruses and malware compared to Windows, but it's not a guarantee of absolute safety. You can't just assume there is no risk. It is highly dependent on your knowledge of the OS.
It is worth noting that Linux still gets DDoS attacks and vulnerabilities in server software just the same as Windows.
I had this question myself a few years ago and ended up making the switch. While it will not offer 100% protection, your risk is still greatly reduced because most viruses and malware is designed to function on Windows. Even using MacOS lowers your risk to some degree but because even less people use Linux, it offers the best lowered risk security.
To a certain degree, yes. You will have a harder time downloading a virus even on purpose as most viruses are made for Windows systems. The same can be said for MacOS as mentioned. The fewer of people that use an OS, the less risk you have because hackers have a better chance at gaining access to what they want when they are throwing their hook into a bigger pond so to speak.