New
#1
Why is that no suprize at all? One of my contacts who runs security tests on web sites also collects Mac viruses for testing purposes! The other guy's(fruit company) OS isn't so bug free afterall!
Apple Quietly Pulls Claims of Virus Immunity
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Posts : 8,375 W7 Ultimate x64/W10 Pro x64/W11 Pro Triple Boot - Main PC W7 Remote PC Micro ATX W7 Pro x64/W11 Pro
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New #2
This is an old discussion but Mac OSX doesn't technically have a virus in the wild however that statement isn't really as important as many Mac users may believe.
The term "virus" has a literal and street meaning, with the latter indicating that a virus could mean anything malicious that isn't technically a virus. However the majority of malware are comprised of trojans, which aren't "viruses" by definition and OSX is definitely susceptible to trojans because it exploits the users.
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New #3
If I were a Mac owner, I would still be overwhelmingly happy with the OSX track record with regard to this problem.
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New #4
The primary vulnerability in any security system are the people using it. With Apple computers its worse because they are marketed as "Computers for the rest of us" and the market has believed them. The market being people who don't know very much about computers and don't want to have to care. Unfortunately, in the real world, you do have to know what you are doing and must care very much about doing it safely. Otherwise you are in for a very expensive education.
Welcome to the real world.
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New #5
As far as I know, Apples have had far fewer security problems in the past versus PC's. I'm unsure how the person who put faith into the Mac protecting them would have fared better with a PC.
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New #6
That is not the issue. The real world is crashing down on the world of Apples. It will become increasingly more important that the users actually do understand what they are doing and take steps to protect themselves. If they don't, they will receive a very costly education just as currently naive PC users do.
The bottom line is the internet is a jungle. You don't go into a jungle barefoot and unarmed and expect to come out unscathed. If you don't think so, I know this Nigerian Princess who has come into a lot of money she wants to share with you. All you have to do is send her $5,000, your SS and Bank account numbers so she can deposit it in your account for a few weeks. She will give you 10% for your troubles. It doesn't make any difference if you are using an Apple or PC. If you bite, you lose.
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New #7
Windows gets attacked because most everybody uses Windows.
Adobe gets attacked most use them.
Java get attacked because most use them.
Mac has less attacks because so few use them.
Windows 7 user gets infected they come to sites like Seven Forums for help.
Mac user gets infected they go to daddy and beg for another computer.
Comparing the two is like comparing toad stools and redwood trees.Last edited by Dwarf; 26 Jun 2012 at 13:42.
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New #8
Very true. Because the vast majority of businesses and home users use an OS based on Windows, then malware writers will target them as they are most likely to succeed in getting gullible people to do what they want. That is not to say that users of other OSes, such as Linux and Mac OSX, should be complacent as malware writers also target those platforms. However, the rewards for them are not as great as it is in the Windows environment, due simply to the market OS share. Indeed, if Linux or Mac OSX had the same share as Windows does now (and Windows had the share currently enjoyed by Mac OSX), then the story would be very much the same. Malware writers would target Linux or Mac OSX instead, because there they would be sure in getting the most profitable returns for their evil deeds.
Software isn't immune to this, particularly widely used software such as Adobe and Java. There is nothing wrong with these programs, indeed some other programs rely on them being installed in order to work. What is important is that you check regularly on the program maker's websites for any updates that address security and other issues.
Although I wouldn't use a Mac (I don't see the point in paying double, treble, or even more for a computer of identical hardware to a Windows machine just because it runs OSX), it's good to see that they have finally accepted reality that they too can be targeted and have removed that misleading statement.
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New #9
Hi there
Yawn Yawn
How is it I'm nearly of Pensionable age and occasionally have been known to use some sites that might be regarded as "Dubious" but can honestly say in over nearly 35 years of using computers I've NEVER had a Virus.
Most of this stuff is UTTER HORSE SH--TE'.
The usual way people get infected is to click on a URL link in an Email (Such as Nigerian Princess model or Canadian Lottery etc scams).
Unless you are 100% cast iron sure that the email is genuine -- NEVER EVER click on a URL link in an email.
It would be really interesting to gather a set of statistics from people who get their computers infected showing the last of sites visited while the computer was in a "Virus Free state" and the list of sites visited SINCE the "Free Virus state" and the "Infected state",
Probably will never happen but these are the REAL STATS you need otherwise the whole A/V discussion is 100% meaningless.
cheers
jimbo
Apple Quietly Pulls Claims of Virus Immunity
Posted: 25 Jun 2012
SourceIn the wake of the Flashback botnet which targeted Mac computers, Apple has removed a statement from its messages on its website that Mac operating system X (OS X) isn't susceptible to viruses.
Apple removed the previous statement "It doesn't get PC viruses" and replaced it with "It's built to be safe," and "Safeguard your data. By doing nothing" with "Safety. Built in." A comparison of the old and new messages is currently available here.
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