Linux is an open source operating system created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It uses a Linux kernel and includes many common Unix tools. Linux is free to use and modify due to its open source licensing. It runs on many hardware platforms and is growing in popularity for servers, desktops, and embedded systems due to its low cost, stability, and security. Users can download Linux from distributions like Red Hat which package the Linux kernel with additional software and support.