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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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 Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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I've been saying that Macs will be struck down by viruses and ad/spyware once Mac usages reaches critical mass. But Macintosh zealots keep insisting that Macs are just more secure than PCs which is total bullshit. Virus writers don't write for Macs because they won't cause as much trouble.
However it looks like things are starting to change.
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A new adware program silently installs on Mac OS X systems and opens Web browser windows, according to F-Secure.
The program, dubbed iAdware by the Finnish security company, is possibly the first example of adware for Macs. It is especially interesting since it doesn't require administrative privileges to nestle itself on the computers, according to F-Secure.
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"In theory, this program could be silently installed to your user account and hooked to each application you use," according to the F-Secure blog. "This particular sample successfully launched the Mac's Web browser when we used any of a number of applications."
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However, there are indications that hackers are increasingly targeting the Mac, which experts have said is not impervious to attacks.
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Apple could not immediately be reached for comment. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| Virus writers don't write for Macs because they won't cause as much trouble. |
Macs have never been SECURE. They've been "impervious" to virii only because of the reason you gave above. Virus writers can't be bothered.
Hell, LINUX isn't secure, either. But again, why would virus writers bother? |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| Young FRANKenstein wrote: |
| SuperHero wrote: |
| Virus writers don't write for Macs because they won't cause as much trouble. |
Macs have never been SECURE. They've been "impervious" to virii only because of the reason you gave above. Virus writers can't be bothered.
Hell, LINUX isn't secure, either. But again, why would virus writers bother? |
I know that, but try telling it to a Mac Evangelist. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:06 am Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| I know that, but try telling it to a Mac Evangelist. |
I am a Mac Evangelist... I just happen to be more realistic about it. |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| Macs are just more secure than PCs... (this is) total *beep*... (because) Virus writers don't write for Macs |
Can you prove that? |
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jazblanc77
Joined: 22 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| wormholes101 wrote: |
| SuperHero wrote: |
| Macs are just more secure than PCs... (this is) total *beep*... (because) Virus writers don't write for Macs |
Can you prove that? |
Your avatar almost made me smash my nice new LCD monitor into the wall. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| wormholes101 wrote: |
| Can you prove that? |
Prove a negative? That's be a good trick. |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| jazblanc77 wrote: |
| Your avatar almost made me smash my nice new LCD monitor into the wall. |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Macs not as secure as all the hype |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
I've been saying that Macs will be struck down by viruses and ad/spyware once Mac usages reaches critical mass. But Macintosh zealots keep insisting that Macs are just more secure than PCs which is total *beep*. Virus writers don't write for Macs because they won't cause as much trouble.
However it looks like things are starting to change.
| Quote: |
A new adware program silently installs on Mac OS X systems and opens Web browser windows, according to F-Secure.
The program, dubbed iAdware by the Finnish security company, is possibly the first example of adware for Macs. It is especially interesting since it doesn't require administrative privileges to nestle itself on the computers, according to F-Secure.
...
"In theory, this program could be silently installed to your user account and hooked to each application you use," according to the F-Secure blog. "This particular sample successfully launched the Mac's Web browser when we used any of a number of applications."
...
However, there are indications that hackers are increasingly targeting the Mac, which experts have said is not impervious to attacks.
...
Apple could not immediately be reached for comment. |
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Its funny how you mentioned that, see :
http://www.techworld.com/security/features/index.cfm?featureID=2856&pagtype=all
for a long list of exploits that people didn't know about.
But hey, lets not rain on their parade.  |
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wormholes101
Joined: 11 Mar 2003
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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Official warning on Mac code bug
The federal US computer security watchdog has issued a warning about a bug in Apple's OS X operating system.
The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US Cert) issued the alert after security researchers produced code that could exploit the DMG bug...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6187302.stm |
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AbbeFaria
Joined: 17 May 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:03 am Post subject: |
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No system is totally secure, but I love it how when there's one example people who love to talk crap about Apple jump up and down and scream "Ha Ha, I told you!" As if it somehow makes their own virus worries less troublesome because a Mac might get one. All a hacker really needs is time, this was always going to happen. I'm not sure why PC users love to gloat so much.
-S- |
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Demophobe
Joined: 17 May 2004
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:19 am Post subject: |
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| AbbeFaria wrote: |
No system is totally secure, but I love it how when there's one example people who love to talk crap about Apple jump up and down and scream "Ha Ha, I told you!" As if it somehow makes their own virus worries less troublesome because a Mac might get one. All a hacker really needs is time, this was always going to happen. I'm not sure why PC users love to gloat so much.
-S- |
It's not about gloating, it's about salting the Macheads. 
Maybe we live in fear of a MAC world?
I have never had a virus. Either I am really good, or as useless as a MAC. |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| AbbeFaria wrote: |
No system is totally secure, but I love it how when there's one example people who love to talk crap about Apple jump up and down and scream "Ha Ha, I told you!" As if it somehow makes their own virus worries less troublesome because a Mac might get one. All a hacker really needs is time, this was always going to happen. I'm not sure why PC users love to gloat so much.
-S- |
it's not gloating. To me it's pointing out to people who can't think for themselves that the myth of the inpenetrable Mac is just that a myth.
I personally don't know anyone using a PC who's gotten a virus and had a major problem with it. As long as one keeps their antivirus software up to date there will never be a problem. |
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rocklee
Joined: 04 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Its not so much gloating, just informing the latest of what's happening.
I think there are more threads gloating about new Apple products than articles that are against them. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:44 am Post subject: |
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| SuperHero wrote: |
| AbbeFaria wrote: |
No system is totally secure, but I love it how when there's one example people who love to talk crap about Apple jump up and down and scream "Ha Ha, I told you!" As if it somehow makes their own virus worries less troublesome because a Mac might get one. All a hacker really needs is time, this was always going to happen. I'm not sure why PC users love to gloat so much.
-S- |
it's not gloating. To me it's pointing out to people who can't think for themselves that the myth of the inpenetrable Mac is just that a myth.
I personally don't know anyone using a PC who's gotten a virus and had a major problem with it. As long as one keeps their antivirus software up to date there will never be a problem. |
I had this argument here a year or more ago. Someone was claiming Macs don't need a virus scanner because they're so secure. Uh huh.
I install all the XP security updates, I use Firefox, I have a firewall and a virus scanner. I haven't had a virus on any computer I've owned since 2001. But then I'm not stupid.
PC has always been a system that assumes the user knows something and just doesn't do stupid things. |
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