cdodkin

Please feel free to go research OS X virus issues, and come back when you find any.

I won't be holding my breath.

Can't believe anyone is really considering standing up for Windows against Mac on security - talk about a one sided argument

OCBen

I can't believe any intelligent individual would not realize that virus writers are only interested in doing the most damage, and that means attacking 97% of the world's computers with a single program. Apple computers are ignored by default - why waste effort on only 3% of the market.

It has nothing to do with inherent superiority. I can't believe you can't see that.

1999Porsche911

I can't understand how any home computer gets a virus. Unless you like accepting every email send you and clicking on every link sent you and have no idea how to set up your operating system, router etc, getting a virus is because of your carelessness and nothing else.

I have been surfing the web since the day it became available and am on 24/7 and, maybe, have gotten a half a dozen viruses or other plants on my computers and each and every time, it was because of something I did wrong.

Nothing can get into your computer unless you invite it in. MAC or PC.

cdodkin

Ben, that's such an old and stale argument - but if that's what you want to believe, then go ahead.

First people insist there must be Mac malware, then when that's proved to be false, they always fall back on the - 'well no one cares about writing any' argument.

Of course, 1.6 million new machines per quarter isn't worth anyones efforts, especially as the average Mac user has such low income potential.....

It's called denial Ben.

The fact is, if you buy a Mac, you only have exposure to 0.04% of the security threats - according to security specialists sophos.com

cdodkin

All you need to do is go visit a website with the wonderful Explorer browser, and you can be infected simply by visiting a legitimate site.

For example, the Dolphins website for the Superbowl was hacked and contained such an infection - all you had to do was go look.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2089879,00.asp

Of course, it didn't effect Mac, but that must be some wild coincidence.

CosmosC4S

Very True That!^^^
I am everywhere on the net, you name it. **** sites? They're loaded with spyware! But I'm all clean coz' I'm not ignorant.

My system crashed once, recently, first time in 8 1/2 years!
And it was coz' I neglected to run my full antivirus scan (for a few weeks) like I regularly do. Whatever virus or spyware that was undetected was allowed to do its job, thanks to me.

But now I'm smarter, it was a wakeup call for taking things for granted.

1999Porsche911

Not true at all, unless you have your computer setup improperly. Unfortunately for most, they simply maintain the default software settings and invite in all sorts of garbage. Who would ever allow a script to run without asking them?

CosmosC4S

I'm sure if you have the latest virus definitions, you should be fine.
It's those who don't update their anti-virus definitions regularly who are at the highest risk.

cdodkin

Get educated - there are things called day zero viruses - your virus software will not save you as the signature has not yet been recognized.

By the time it is, it's too late for your PC - you're already infected.

Unless you run Cisco Security Agent desktop, you have no way of stopping any day zero attack.

CSA was written specifically to attempt to lock-down the Windows OS by looking at the processor tasks, and killing any that appear to be out of the norm.

If you have a PC, you should have CSA to have a chance.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/...057/index.html

Unfortunately for PC users, Windows default settings leave you vulnerable, unlike the Mac, where OS X locks you down by default.

The devil is in the detail - and Mac has spent a lot of time with that detail to give you a more secure platform from switch-on.

There are millions of non-geek PC users that don't have the first clue what to do to secure their OS, and MS doesn't help them by having so many varied vulnerabilities, and a constantly changing threat landscape.

cdodkin

Oh, and I should point out that the Dolphins web server, which was hacked in the first place, was running Windows OS!

Go figure!!

I guess that's why the US Military have started using OSX servers, and Cisco are moving off MS and onto Linux for their critical server appliances.

1999Porsche911

You sound kind of paranoid. If you setup your computer properly (and you do not need CSA), you will not be infected with anything, period and if you were, you would be notified immediately and corrective action can be taken. Windows XP can do all of it.

It's not rocket science but, like driving, it does take being awake and paying attention to what you are doing. You don't even need virus protection, although that does make some things easier.

cdodkin

1999Porsche911, I work in the business - your viewpoint is not atypical, but sadly it's a recipe for trouble.

I'd urge you to read the Cisco papers from the link I included above, and consider using CSA for your PCs and servers.

icruze

cdodkin,

Can you explain why the apple OS is more secure against malware? I've heard the same argument that people target windows PCs since they are the operating system of choice for most businesses. However, I would think hackers would try to show their skill against the more difficult target (apple) to impress their peers. Is there something inherent in the apple OS that prevents this?

nkhalidi

It's an interesting - and neverending - conversation. I just read through the thread; I'm a 12-year Mac user. Currently on my seventh, a fully-loaded black MacBook with 20" cinema display at home.

Every time I see a circular from Dell, something new, something cool, I try to get excited about a Windows computer. I want to see some really amazing hardware that'll make what I do with computers faster, easier, and more elegant.

But it just doesn't happen.

I really like music, I use iTunes; the only comparable software for windows is, well, iTunes. I like my photos - I have thousands - but according to Mossberg and Pogue (granted, the latter is a Mac guy), there's no real windows software comparable to iPhoto. I also spend a lot of time in the Office suite, and Office X for Mac works a-ok.

In other words, for my needs, software - the reason we all use computers - is superior on the Mac. What else is there?

Horsepower, I guess. But all the processing power in the world means nothing if I'm stuck using inelegant, buggy software. I can't wait for a speed bump in the MacBook line; I love the form factor but I really want things snappier.

1999Porsche911

That is because the average person has no knowledge of how a computer, associated software, the web, certificates, etc work so all these safegaurds are created to protect them from themslves. It is no different that all the "sissy" controls they put on the Porsche and other cars. Rather than demanding that people actually learn how to drive, they try to crate an enviormnent that will protect them.

So, you are right that the average person needs all the bells and wistles, but they are in fact, only protecting them from themselves. For those of us who are well versed in computers and the web, there is no need to slow down your system with more software controls.