Hardware security

It's the , that has made Windows computers vulnerable to attacks, experts say. "Mac OS has generally a better track record and reputation than Windows for security. I don't think taking Mac OS to Intel silicon would change the robustness of the operating system," Dana Gardner, a senior analyst at the Yankee Group, said. Theoretically, it is possible that security flaws in lower-level system software could be used to attack both Windows and Mac computers. However attacks, such attacks such as those on the BIOS, are rare. Moreover, experts say it is not known if Apple will use the same low-level software common in PCs. Software makers will have to watch out for sloppy coding, according to Charles Kolodgy, an analyst at IDC. "With many developers making changes to their programs en masse, there is much more opportunity for vulnerabilities to be created - not intentionally but accidentally," he said.

by MacNN Staff