Why has linux of the past years have become such a popular OS of choice.

Nothing is perfect, so it is Linux. Linux is the best choice we can make if we don't have an Apple computer. However Linux is almost invulnerable in comparison with windows. Linux has a very strong scheme of organization of files, only the creator and root can access his own files, so viruses have a difficult life in Linux. As regards for hackers, there is some possibilities that you can be attacked, but it's sufficient, in almost all cases, to use a well configured firewall. Linux has became so popular in these years because now is quite easy to use, more or less like windows, you only have to use it and Linux becomes very comfortable, also because there are many Linux distributions and you can find one that you like.

Linux is not vulnerable to hackers because Linux also has great security system and most hackers attack windows based computer than Linux. Linux also boast their ability to be virtually crash-free.