Security company suggests Macs
updated 10:20 am EDT, Wed July 5, 2006
Mac suggested for security
Sophos has stated that Windows security risks are becoming so widespread that users should seriously consider a Mac. The current top ten malware programs target Windows systems, according to BBC News, though Mac OS X has proven immune to those malicious programs. Thus far only proof-of-concept viruses have surfaced for Macs, most of which pose a minimal risk. Graham Cluley of Sophos believes that computer users should consider Macs, especially for home use. "It seems likely that Macs will continue to be the safer place for computer users for some time to come."
Microsoft responds
Microsoft responded by reiterating that it's next operating system, Vista, will be more secure than any of it's past projects. "Windows Vista contains a number of new safety features that, taken together, are designed to make Windows PCs more secure and online experiences safer," said a Microsoft Windows spokesperson. The software giant is developing Vista with security as a top priority, but that promise offers little comfort to some who have already experienced security flaws in the Beta version of Microsoft's delayed operating system.
Worms and viruses
The number of worms and viruses is on a decline over the internet in its entirety, according to research on the first quarter of 2006. Despite this, the number of "Trojans," or malicious software masquerading as something else, has increased significantly to account for 82 percent of security threats so far this year.
Mac threats
Sophos also said that attempts to design worms or Trojans for Mac OS X are few, adding that worms pose the greatest threat to Mac systems.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
proof of concept virus?
Where has there been a proof of concept virus for the Mac? There hasn't beeen a single report of such an animal. Several proof of concept Trojans but many of them harmless unless you give your username and password. One of them was even a program that had an icon and name to suggest it was a jpeg. Not exactly a new idea. That's been a practical joke for about a decade.
But at least someone with security credibility in the Windows world is pointing people to the Mac.
One thing I find funny is how MS always says that their next version will be better and more secure. They said that with 2000 and XP. But making something have fewer holes than a 10 mile chain link fence doesn't necessarily mean that it doesn't have many holes now does it?