Mac, Windows QuickTime Flaw Opens 'Month Of Apple Bugs'

Information Week ^ | Jan 2, 2007 03:04 PM | Gregg Keizer

[newgeezer]

But, but, but, -- This can't be true! Everyone knows Mac users needn't be concerned about security flaws!! /s

[TommyDale]

I recall being ripped to shreds here a few weeks ago because I mentioned that QuickTime causes problems. Case closed.

[Question_Assumptions]

I still don't run any non-standard security software (e.g., I use the built-in firewall) on my Mac and I'm still not concerned.

[NordP]

I wonder what Leo LePort has to say about THIS?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

While in Seattle over Christmas, we visited an Apple retail store. # 1 son (Mac fan) pointed to a small white tabletop box little bigger than a box of Kleenex, that he said had more power than my Dell tower. What the heck ?

[dangerdoc]

Was the box full of Plutonium?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Don't know. Cobalt Thorium G, maybe.

[MrNeutron1962]

Cobalt Thorium G, well, I'll be a Capitalist Stooge!!!

[RoadTest]

"But, but, but, -- This can't be true! Everyone knows Mac users needn't be concerned about security flaws!! /s"

I get Apple security updates to download in my iMac G5, regularly. It has the old Motorola chip.

[observer5]

Have been using Macs since 1984, never had a virus or securiry problem...

What's a virus again?

[rightgrafix]

Fix for Windows and Mac, but Mac fix still has problems.

http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?compare=1&storyid=1993

[aruanan]

But, but, but, -- This can't be true! Everyone knows Mac users needn't be concerned about security flaws!! /s

You're indiscriminate. The lack of worry was due to several differences between Windows and MacOS, none of which was this.

[HAL9000]

I recall being ripped to shreds here a few weeks ago because I mentioned that QuickTime causes problems. Case closed.

Link (@ #3 - "Quick Time is full of adware and spyware as well.")

[Question_Assumptions]

It basically uses laptop components to keep it small and doesn't have all the air space in the Dell tower for expansion slots (using USB and Firewire connectors for expansion, instead). They are pretty powerful little machines, though not as flexible as your Dell if you want to swap out components.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I was impressed with the Apple 30 " flat screen.

[for-q-clinton]

I remember a discussion a year or so ago that exploits on MAC/Apple systems were impossible. I wonder if techjunkyard and N3WBI3 will be here to help explain how this can happen.

As I stated then...security by obscurity is not real security.

Apologies to those on the TO: line if you weren't one of the defenders of apples perfection.

[TommyDale]

Wow. You found that quickly. My apologies for using the terms adware and spyware. All I know is that it sure as heck caused problems.

[antiRepublicrat]

I remember a discussion a year or so ago that exploits on MAC/Apple systems were impossible.

I certainly hope nobody said it, because exploits already existed back then. However, active exploits in the wild, actually taking over Macs, do not exist yet. Maybe some day...

As I stated then...security by obscurity is not real security.

Then it's good that Macs don't rely on it.

[DonGrafico]

Wow! A month of Apple bugs and roughly 30 years (and counting) of M-Soft bugs. Apple has a long way to go to be as good at security flaws as M-Soft, but give them credit they're trying.

[for-q-clinton]

Then it's good that Macs don't rely on it.

But their users do... most I know don't even run AV protection.