Mac OS X: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X...
Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X...
by DukeW - 7/14/06 2:03 AMSorry, but I always get the giggles when somebody starts ranting on how there are ''no viruses'' for OS-X. Being based on BSD Unix, it's susceptible to anything that will hit BSD, including RPC hacks, encryption library bugs, rootkits, and the odd sendmail or bind worm. Having a bit more historical insight than your average Mac-head (yes, I am using serial #122 of the original Apple ][ line as a foot-rest, why do you ask?), I remember Macs being so buggy you couldn't stick a diskette in one without it becoming infected. That's why I had to put SAM (Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh) on several hundred of them in 1996 for a major optical retailer that used them as POS stations. OS-X is sure pretty, but it's still susceptible, as those twice-a-month updates my son's graphics Mac keeps getting will attest. That's why I get into Terminal and shut down every service and ''daemon'' (you won't be taken seriously if you don't know how to spell it correctly) not absolutely necessary to load the software and produce output. I also run Intego's Virus Barrier X, as I don't want to have to re-load the box because of some unfortunate bug that they claim is only a ''proof of concept.'' Script kiddies love POCs, as all they have to do is gin up a payload, and it's off to the races. But hey, at least they're right about the adware; a slim 1% of the market is hardly a draw for the boneheads that write adware. But hey, give them time--now that Macs are just PCs in drag (same processor, same bus, same disk, same memory, only the OS is changed to protect the innocent), it's only a matter of time. Best of luck with that ostrich-like posture, folks, and let us know how you do with that.
Let's get some facts? Links, comment.
by R. Proffitt
- 7/14/06 3:30 AM
In reply to: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X... by DukeW
MacOSX - http://secunia.com/product/96/
Windows XP Pro - http://secunia.com/product/22/
What ostrich would run Windows?
Bob
And "Roll film" (humor)
by R. Proffitt - 7/14/06 6:28 AM
In reply to: Let's get some facts? Links, comment. by R. Proffitt
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3362114885876290330&q=i%27m+a+mac
Roll Film…
by taboma - 7/14/06 9:20 PM In reply to: And "Roll film" (humor) by R. Proffitt
…has been on TV for a couple of weeks now. Or longer. Kind of a laid-back commercial. Nice and easy commercial. It will take the average viewer three times to register in their mind any commercial.
GRP's=Gross Rating Points in the Advertising industry.
I missed the first one. Have been viewing all the rest to analyse it.
I was into creative TV commercials for years working for Ad Agencies.
Thanks Bob, I did check out your links. Interesting.
-Kevin
Who said there wasn't?
by mrmacfixit - 7/14/06 4:59 AM
In reply to: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X... by DukeW
I don't remember the last time I saw anyone say that OS X did not have any Security issues or that they were immune to problems. I believe there is a difference between being susceptible and actually having a problem.
I do recall saying that there are currently NO active viruses, in the wild, for Mac OS X, a statement that I will continue to make until the first "real" virus appears. Of course it will happen. We have had this conversation before, I believe that Intego updates it's virus definitions for OS X up to three times a week.
Security updates are an indication that something is being done about any possible holes, not that the sky is falling or that there are actual viruses running against it.
P
Take a look at this from Symantec.
by saywhatnow - 7/14/06 6:07 AM In reply to: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X... by DukeWhttp://www.symantec.com/enterprise/security_response/weblog/authors/todd_woodward.html
Worth a read.
I too have been using Macs since before they were called that and in the 26 odd years of using, fixing and generally playing around with them, I only saw ONE virus. I think what you are actually saying, regarding the "so buggy you couldn't stick a diskette in one without it becoming infected" applies to any computer. Stick an infected floppy into it and it will become infected. That does not mean that the system is "so Buggy". Just means that someone was silly enough to keep putting infected disks into the machines.
Our IT Pros are constantly on the alert…
by taboma - 7/14/06 9:41 PM In reply to: Take a look at this from Symantec. by saywhatnow…for Viruses and other crap coming into our company from MS Outlook. Also known affectionately as "LOOKOUT".
The reason our company is worried is the fact that many use a PC and are prone.
The other 30% of us are in the Graphic dept. use a Mac running OSX10.4.4. Not a dual processor as of yet.
Want a rootkit? Bring in a Sony CD disk and run it on the PC at work. That will work! How dumb.
I have been working on a Mac for twenty years. Never effected by anything at all with any virus.
Agree with you saywhatnow,
-Kevin
OS Envy
by robertmro - 7/21/06 7:05 AM In reply to: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X... by DukeWThis is a dumb post.
I smell OS envy again.
It is a matter of risk
by GBTrevor - 7/21/06 8:04 AM In reply to: Yes, there *are* security issues for OS-X... by DukeWOK, Lets connect a Mac and a PC to the Internet, lets do some surfing (and for fun go to some dubious web sites), we could even set up an email account and open all those Spam emails and attachments.
Lets give it a week or so doing this then lets see what has invaded each machine (that is if the PC is still running).
Chances are that nothing has invaded the Mac, maybe a few executibles that will do nothing.
So, taking the above as true (try it if you are an unbeliever) and you will see why Mac users do not worry.
I use Mac and PC platforms and know which one I worry about!
PS I do use AV on my Mac as a precaution for when the first virus hits.
As in WHEN, how about IF ?
by russ666 - 7/21/06 6:27 PM In reply to: It is a matter of risk by GBTrevorAs in WHEN, how about IF ?
It is beginning (after so many years in the trying) to look as if it is just not going to happen. The malware ok, yes that and the phishing and worms/trojans if your AV can save you there, by all means have some protection/prevention if you can get it. But virus ? NOT
But let us not forget to call all of them by their correct names. It is important to differentiate.
hmm... sooner than you think!
by Catrina_Feline - 7/21/06 7:09 PM In reply to: As in WHEN, how about IF ? by russ666The reason that viruses, and ALL types of malware, tend to target PCs, is because that's the most popular trend of the moment. That being said, that's also probably what the "authors" are writing this malware on, and what they'll know enough about to know how to mess it up well. However, as time passes and MS is rearing its ugly head as the bringer of malware, Macs are now the operating system of choice for techies of all fields, and casual users are beginning to realize that as well. Virus authors also often merely loathe Micro$oft, and delude themselves into thinking that they are doing the world a favor by eliminating yet more Windows-based computers. Truly, they can ruin countless lives of hard-working individuals, but they are usually ignorant to that fact. Soon, many more people will see the advantages of Macs, and will switch as they are influenced by what they read on the Web and what they hear from friends. Even as the inconsistencies are fixed in Windows, their reputation is so damaged by now that I believe Macs will soon become the operating system of choice for most people. To programmers, IT managers, webmasters, and everyday users alike, Macs appear to offer much more appeal and easier functionality.
My point being: as Mac popularity rises, so will the frequency of malware reports on Macs, INCLUDING VIRUSES. And, it would seem to me that MS is steadily losing customers, at least from its OS. It shan't be too far until we see the same amount of "crapware" targeting Mac users.
The virus problem on PC's
by mrmacfixit - 7/21/06 8:00 PM
In reply to: hmm... sooner than you think! by Catrina_Feline
It is so easy to write a virus for Windows that any script kiddie can do it. There are even sites that give you the code to do it with. It's not that they hate MS, just that MS have left almost every door open to allow them in.
Getting a virus to run and propagate to other machines without any human intervention is extremely difficult. It's a whole different ball game.
Nobody is saying that OS X is immune, just that it is more secure than Windows can ever hope to be.
P
Once and for all...
by lampietheclown - 7/21/06 8:58 PM In reply to: hmm... sooner than you think! by Catrina_FelineLets put away the security by obscurity theory. (Low market share is the reason for no viruses)
If this is true, why were there quite a few viruses for OS 9?
You must admit that OSX has a bigger market share than 9 ever did, yet the virus numbers between the two would suggest (if your theory is true) that there are only 17 people in the whole world who use OSX.
Actually that number should be 15, because I have 3 Macs.
Now that it has been established that I speak for 20% of the installed user base, there's a few changes I'd like Steve to make...
King Lampie of Macland
Nice to have Lampi back again
by taboma - 7/24/06 12:20 AM In reply to: Once and for all... by lampietheclownMissed you!!!
I hope your trampoline accident did not interfere with the tigers you were training with, How is your back-side doing?
Falling that way is a pain in the you know where.
I like King Lampie of Macland.
Better bring down the numbers and market shares. I have one!
Now we're down to 14. Holy crap!
Welcome back!!!
-Kevin
"security by obscurity theory." MacOSX is not obscured.
by R. Proffitt - 7/26/06 6:42 AM
In reply to: Once and for all... by lampietheclown
Developers have access to the core code. Security has been examined from the inside out as well as from the outside which is untrue for Microsoft's offering.
Linux has the same internal examination and such reviews has found non-primary developers poring over the code, reporting internal OS issues and such getting due attention.
Bob
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