Posted on 02/06/2010 12:09:39 PM PST by driftdiver
When I am asked the question "Which is more secure, Mac or PC?" I find myself stumbling around for a response because I don't have a clear-cut answer. I use both. And I use antivirus software with both.
So I decided to conduct an informal survey of a bunch of security experts and see what they had to say in the hopes that people can use the information to help them come to their own conclusions.
Before I provide quotes from the 32 experts who participated in the survey, along with edited comments from an interview with a Microsoft representative and a link that Apple provided, I'd like to share some relevant research from antivirus vendor ESET.
More than half of Americans believe that PCs are "very" or "extremely" vulnerable to cybercrime attacks, while only 20 percent say the same about Macs, according to this ESET survey. (Credit: ESET)
ESET released the results of a survey in November related to awareness of cybercrime in the U.S. The survey of more than 1,000 people found that while both PC and Mac users perceive the Mac as being safer, Mac users are victims of cybercrime just as frequently as PC user
(Excerpt) Read more at news.cnet.com ...
lol yeah sure
http://www.macworld.com/article/140309/2009/04/adobe_pdfvulnerability.html
Adobe acknowledged that all versions of its popular PDF software, including editions for Windows, the Mac and Linux, contain at least one, and possibly two, critical vulnerabilities.
All currently supported shipping versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat, [versions] 9.1, 8.1.4, and 7.1.1 and earlier, are vulnerable to this issue, said David Lenoe, the companys security program manager...
Proof-of-concept attack code for both bugs has already been published on the Web.
Okay... where do I go to get infected now. I mean I’ve got this software on my computer that’s doing nothing (no beeps, no warnings or anything for years now) and I want to see it do something for a change.... :-)
Here’s another
http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/display.php?id=730
Apple Mac OS X CoreGraphics PDF Type1 Font Integer Overflow Vulnerability
Remote exploitation of an integer overflow vulnerability in Apple Inc.’s Mac OS X could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the currently logged in user.
oh and another
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/04/15/ibotnet-trojan.html
Cybercriminals create botnet using Mac computers
and another
http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/02/20/inherent.mac.vulnerability/
“A skilled hacker could use the knowledge to insert malicious code into the same space as an active process, like Safari, and force a Mac to run malware.”
You know... I always knew the Macintosh computer was about the safest computer around for catching any viruses — but — what I did not know, until right now — is hard hard it is to actually go out and “get a virus” — even if you’re trying to... LOL...
You might check for patches. A quick look at http://support.apple.com/downloads/ shows quite a few security related patches that Apple is recommending users download.
You might check for patches. A quick look at http://support.apple.com/downloads/ shows quite a few security related patches that Apple is recommending users download.
You might check for patches. A quick look at http://support.apple.com/downloads/ shows quite a few security related patches that Apple is recommending users download.
That runs automatically on my machine... so if it's there... it's done for me... :-)
“I want to see it do something for a change”
Well if you switched to windows there would actually be software you could install and be productive. its a shame to stick with an OS that doesn’t have any software to use.
Well if you switched to windows there would actually be software you could install and be productive. its a shame to stick with an OS that doesnt have any software to use.
Yeah, I already know the Windows machines catch the viruses all the time... I meant I wanted to see it happen on the Macintosh, and I just can't make the Macintosh catch a virus no matter how hard I try... it's sorta disappointing doncha know...
At my upload end I run windows and have since 3.1 came out. I was only infected two Times and that was years ago. I am careful of where I visit on the web. Use Firefox and more recently chrome browsers. I use other browsers only to make sure the websites look right in them. If you are careful on the web don't download files from unknown websites you won't get infected. Some one should be giving classes on safe computing on the web. Heck, they teach kids how to use a condom and a banana.
Why not just say that you love your Window program? There is no need to try and downgrade Macs is there?
Windows is popular because it is cheap and easy to program with. You get more games, more programs and more viruses, enjoy : )
There is no need to project your deficiencies on others. Have you ever heard the phrase "Methinks the Lady doth protest too much? Think about it.
Also if someone could find a nice juicy exploit on all those unprotected Macs it would be worth billions, much more than any windows exploit would be worth.
The only problems I’ve seen with Linux are with PHP or the other software loaded.
My cerebellum just fused.
Cheers!
Yes, Mac users will be susceptible to psychologically engineered phishing and pharming attacks just as any user of the Internet will be. That does not translate to equivalency of OS risk.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List,
Macworld is this week, so the FUD articles will be published.
I wonder how it's going to be. I don't think that not having an Apple booth there will make a big difference, because there are a whole heck of a lot of other vendors that can really do good there, I think.
It's not such a bad idea to have Apple doing their own timing for promotions, according to how the products work out, internally, in the company. This way, Apple can introduce products whenever it's best suited for them.
And for all the other vendors, well, they don't have the big pull that Apple has, so they can do very well with this kind of big yearly trade show, "MacWorld" for Macintosh and all things "Apple"...
Go back to Democrat UndergroundN00B
I deleted it and then securely deleted it from the trash. got the anti-virus Clamx to look around and found no viruses.
What do you think this thing was that was sent to me?
How large does that Mac market have to get before the crackers and crooks take notice of all those naked unprotected computers blythely surfing the Internet and start writing nasty ware for them, Biggirl? Ten million? Twenty? Thirty? Would you be surprised to know there are almost Fifty million Mac OS X computers in use in the world.
Malware writers have written PC viruses for Windows PCs targeting vulnerable population numbering fewer than 12,000 machines.
Why do then they ignore 50,000,000 Macs? I assure it's not obscurity.
Never been there so go jump in a lake. Its obvious you lack the judgment to add value to this thread.
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