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 ...
Yeah, they should have. Or any other decent tech around... but that would be work... so they just sit around writing useless horse crap like the article in the OP.
Most of the companies mentioned are not “anti-virus” companies. They are companies whose purpose is improving computer security.
And anti-virus companies are extremely grateful to them for boosting their business.... LOL... (which is the way these kinds of things work)...
But, let's say that these guys really believe that they are doing a "service" by saying what they do... then... how does that make my Intego worth anything when I've only had one virus infection (no "alarms" no "warnings" no "alerts" of any kind) in over 25 years?
And let me tell you, I go everywhere with this computer and was on the BBSs back in the day when they were rampant, plus I'm all over the Internet and I download a lot of stuff and I hardly am concerned about it...
The bottom line -- is all the yapping that these guys are doing hasn't made a bit of difference to me and neither has it made a bit of difference to the vast majority of Macintosh users...
[... on the other hand, I know some relatives who have Windows machines and they've got headaches galore with theirs... LOL...]
Use a hardware firewall and keep it up to date. The linksys ones are ok and fairly easy to configure. The software on it needs to be updated occasionally.
Don’t install software from unknown sources.
Use spam and anti-virus at the server level for email.
Update your OS and applications on a regular basis.
Don’t visit porn sites, sites pushing celebrity stuff, or unknown sites targeted at children.
There are many anti-virus tools out there and Mcafee and Norton are last on my list for the desktop. I use avast, ccleaner, and occasionally malwarebytes. Run a full scan at least monthly.
Use a complex password for anything that requires a password. The most common password found on the internet is 123456.
“Absolutely. But I don’t think I am an idiot”
Not knowing that does not make you an idiot. It would make you ignorant and there are MANY ignorant users out there.
“Will you admit that there are no viruses that I need to worry about?”
Security is about more than a virus. If you download PDFs or graphic files then there are threats that could impact your Mac.
Many times the threat comes from the server you are connecting to. The basic act of clicking on a link can act as the trigger.
Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.
Now, I realize you were asking someone else and I also realize that you are not likely to change your computer right now. You are looking for ways to protect yourself and I really do understand why, since you have a Windows machines... you absolutely need to do that...
BUT... for the number of other readers out there, this is a good example of the difference in usage between a Windows user and a Macintosh user (so I'm going to use you for an example, and I've got relatives in your position now, too...).
With a Macintosh user, they can basically surf and download with virtual impunity and simply not worry about a thing and never get a virus -- and that's no joke.
Sure, I know that the "experts" say -- "But you might get something in the future, so you better watch out!".
The thing is -- in the last 25 years, it hasn't been so (like it has with the Windows platform)... LOL... and it's still not so now.
SO... people -- if you don't want the headaches that are associated with thes Windows machines and their real vulnerabilities that happen right now -- then "Get a Mac!" -- and that's "no bull"... :-)
But, as I said, I understand that you're not in that position, so I'm not necessarily directing that to you... and good luck with your security....
Thank you. To be honest, I’m going to have to ask my most computer savvy friend to explain some of these items, but once I get it all figured out, I’m sure it will make a huge difference for the better. Your advice is greatly appreciated!
The point of the article is that mac security isn’t all that mac wants you to believe. You can believe what industry experts say, or you can pay 2-3 times as much for a computer.
How many servers on the internet run that OS? I’m sure it must be up to 10 or 12 by now.
If you download PDFs or graphic files then there are threats that could impact your Mac.
Would you please point me to a PDF file and/or a graphic file... I would like to see my anti-virus software working and get some kind of "reaction" out of it.
And if it's not a virus... please... direct me to "something" -- "anything" actually -- I'm getting quite bored never having anything happen to my Macintosh...
In case you think I'm kidding... no... please do direct me to those kinds of files... I would like to see them.
And don't be worried about my files and system... I've got everything backed up and I can switch in a moment and plug in another drive (or even two) and be back up and running in no time if there is a problem... :-) .. but I would like to see "something" happen... :-)
I'm sorry. I thought you said there was no OS X Server?
... and Stop Posting to Me! ;-)
The point of the article is that mac security isn’t all that mac wants you to believe. You can believe what industry experts say, or you can pay 2-3 times as much for a computer.
Okay, now I get it! I didn't understand it before...
You're saying that if Macintosh security had been better, I would have not gotten the one infection in 25 years -- I would have had zero infections....
Hmmm... you might have a point there... :-)
:)
I should have said there are very very few servers running a MAC OS.
I run a linux servers, and don’t run anti virus on them. A friend of mine had his linux server hacked. More specifically it was the PHP that was hacked.
Watch out cause you guys always get caught.
Gawd, your stealth must put you up there in the Hürtgen Forest category.
I have Klingon stealth technology... :-)
Sorry but that was overly pedantic.
>You were saying ...
>
>> Gawd, your stealth must put you up there in the Hürtgen Forest category.
>
>I have Klingon stealth technology... :-)
Which, as every good trekkie knows, is just the defunct/old version of the Romulan technology. (You ought to update.)
Oooops! I’m out of date... :-)
Not to be overly pedantic, but a Mac is a "PC."
Ummmm..., only if the Mac is running Windows in Parallels ... LOL...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.