In their words: Experts weigh in on Mac vs. PC security

Cnet ^ | Feb 1, 2010 | Elinor Mills

[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

[zeugma]

I'll have to take that as confirmation that you can't identify a single site that might have the types of malware for Macs that you've been spreading FUD about.

If the danger were really as great as you would like for people to believe, it would be easy for you to do. Instead, you just spread FUD and make non-responsive answers. Anyone reading this thread can see for themselves that you have nothing but hot air to spew on this topic. We'll just have to leave it to the kind readers to make what decisons they will make, given the facts presented.

[driftdiver]

Take it however you want to. Mac fanatics aren’t willing to open their eyes anyway. I’m trying to show others who may be buying that nonsense that macs are invulnerable.

[zeugma]

Again, you make claims without proof. I see no one this thread make the claim that "Macs are invulnerable". What I have seen is several people politely request proof of your claim that they are succeptable to trojans and viruses. Since you do not seem to be able to offer such proof, we can only assume that your claim is unsubstantiated. Resorting to name calling (Mac fanatics) doesn't really help your case, and in fact underlines the fact that it appears you have nothing to stand upon.

If you had such proof handy, one would naturally assume that you could provide it. To continue not to do so undermines your 'argument' quite well.

In referring to previous links you expect us not to understand that a reported vulnerability does not a successful attack make. The difference between an alleged vulnerability and the ability of a malicious entity to root a box is not merely a case of semantics.

[SunkenCiv]

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?

The sociopaths who write the viruses are all Windows (and before that, DOS) users.

[ColdWater]

Both have 6 cylinder engines of almost equal size. Both have 4 wheels and windshield wipers.

Both the mac and the pc use the same intel chips. Same size and make engines ...