Foo - Are Macs really 100% secure?

When I encounter people who use Macs, I usually hear that one advantage of them is that they are far more secure than Windows or Linux. I decided to do some home and went looking for security issues where either Web pages allow viruses to be installed or attacks where one can remotely hack into a machine. Searching around, I've seen tons of them for Windows, some for Linux, but absolutely zero for Mac OS, especially after OS X.

Are Macintoshes truly 100% secure as proponents claim? If so, the Apple premium may be worth it.

no

Nothing is 100% secure, but I'll take my Mac over a windows machine for security reasons any day.

When I encounter people who use Macs, I usually hear that one advantage of them is that they are far more secure than Windows or Linux. I decided to do some home and went looking for security issues where either Web pages allow viruses to be installed or attacks where one can remotely hack into a machine. Searching around, I've seen tons of them for Windows, some for Linux, but absolutely zero for Mac OS, especially after OS X.

Are Macintoshes truly 100% secure as proponents claim? If so, the Apple premium may be worth it.

Not 100%, but there are far less viruses made for them.

I have a Mac though, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

while a Mac running OS X may be (and probably is) "safer" than a Windows PC, it's not because it's any better or more secure in a real sense. it's just it's easier to write malware for Windows, and there's a lot more potential victims (so it's more fun).

i like Macs, and usually recommend them to prospective computer users. but i'm on an aging Windows box now and my Mac is set up to dual-boot into XP Pro.

don't use the current lack of virii to justify a Mac - use the fact they're better computers for many people. unless you need/want to do one of the things PCs excel at.

I've been using Macs since they came out with OS X.
No, they are not 100% secure.
I've never detected malware of any kind on one of my Macs.

thought just occurred to me: we used to say the only truly secure computer was one that was turned off, taken apart, and buried 500 feet down in a sealed concrete vault.

<333macbook!love!

The only thing that's 100% secure is your Bear Stearns investment.

Oops.

Let that be your guide.

If so, the Apple premium may be worth it.

I bought into the hype and wish I didnt. At 1200, this MacBook is waaay overpriced
for what you get. Id rather have gotten a smokin' PC rig for 400 less and run virus
scans the way I used to.

Stay off the porn sites and you won't have any problems regardless of the OS you're using.

Kidding aside, Macs are only perceived as secure because they have such a small (but growing) share of the home PC market. They are basically ignored by hackers and Russian code monkeys, and hence they have a 'passive' security system.

But...

I've been running XP home edition for the past year and a half, since I built this PC, while using Firefox with a few plugins installed (NoScript and FlashBlock among them), I have yet to run into any problems.

Is the Apple Premium worth it? For some it maybe, especially if you have lots of disposable income, but for me it certain wouldn't make sense since my comp is way faster than what I could have gotten for the same dollar amount from Apple.

Yeah, save your cash, buy a custom notebook and learn to run Ubuntu which is secure as you want to make it. It'll save you $900 and you'll end up with a lot more snort.

I would agree with the poster who mentioned that Macs are left alone because they are relatively rare.

If the market develops where there are a larger proportion of Macs, then there will surely be more viruses targetting them.

Someone really looking to spread a virus or malware targets the most likely systems... and that isn't the Mac... although the first few to really impact MAC users will take quite a while to get under control since so few on that platform have protective software.

I wrote a virus detection packaqe for Solaris once... It printed one dot per file read until the end, and then proclaimed no virus found... Not that the platform is invulnerable, but who writes a virus for a specific flavor of Unix???

I have been on PCs since DOS days, and online since before there was an internet, and I have only had a couple of infections from relatively low damage programs... I always run virus protection etc, but if it weren't so inexpensive, I would probably skip it since there is not that much out there that will do harm unless you go to warez or porn sites... and I visit neither type.

thought just occurred to me: we used to say the only truly secure computer was one that was turned off, taken apart, and buried 500 feet down in a sealed concrete vault.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/B-2_spirit_bombing.jpg

Yeah, save your cash, buy a custom notebook and learn to run Ubuntu which is secure as you want to make it. It'll save you $900 and you'll end up with a lot more snort.

I replaced my office machine at work with a Debian system. I haven't had any problems since.

http://web.media.mit.edu/~guy/blog/images/shamemac.gif

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place. Why would you believe what comes out of their mouth then in regards to any level of security?

Macs are viewed as being secure because apple only has an 8% market share. Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place. Why would you believe what comes out of their mouth then in regards to any level of security?

Macs are viewed as being secure because apple only has an 8% market share. Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...

I really wish PC people would stop name calling mac users. What is the point? Go pick on Sun Microsystems for a while.

really timmy!

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place.

What nonsense. I can't believe I took you off my blocked list.

Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...


For the same reason that so many people would take the time and effort to programme a virus solely for the malicious purpose of inflicting havoc on PC's; because they hate them. Obviously there just aren't enough (or apparently any) computer savvy programmers who hate macs enough to programme a virus for them (yes, unlike PC's). In a way, the PC's and the ppl who use them are really just getting what they deserve .. they helped to create these plagues - now you need to find ways of living with them. good luck with that. :) :beer:

Well when you say secure you need to qualify against what? Against viruses it is more "secure", by main virtue of most people not bothering to write for Macs. Is it secure against cross site scripting, and other browser related fun? No. If you want a relatively safe browsing experience turn off JavaScript, and java.

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place. Why would you believe what comes out of their mouth then in regards to any level of security?

Macs are viewed as being secure because apple only has an 8% market share. Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...

Riiigghhhttt......

P.S. 14% (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/17/apple_snags_14_percent_of_us_based_pc_retail_sales_in_february.html) of the market. Uh oh. At that rate, Macs will be >50% of the market in 7-8 years.

Stay tuned junior. Have Daddy buy you some Apple stock while it's cheap.

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place. Why would you believe what comes out of their mouth then in regards to any level of security?

Macs are viewed as being secure because apple only has an 8% market share. Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...

what's with the hate speech, dude? i've been using Macs since 1984 and know quite a bit about computers.

though i couldn't tell you jack about the latest games for Windows, so maybe i'm an idiot.

Riiigghhhttt......

P.S. 14% (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/17/apple_snags_14_percent_of_us_based_pc_retail_sales_in_february.html) of the market. Uh oh. At that rate, Macs will be >50% of the market in 7-8 years.

Stay tuned junior. Have Daddy buy you some Apple stock while it's cheap.

I dunno...

From what I hear, the iPod is a pretty popular device, yet I have not purchased one (and yes, I can afford one), neither do I plan to.

Then again, I never was one to do what the cool kids do. That's what got me into bicycles. ;)

Is my Fahgettaboudit U-Lock 100% secure? No. Is it less appealing than the next guy's? Yes. Anything other than Windows is sure to receive less attention until and unless that other OS gains some sizable market share. I run Ubuntu, but I'm not advocating it for the average Joe. Get what fits your needs.

For the same reason that so many people would take the time and effort to programme a virus solely for the malicious purpose of inflicting havoc on PC's; because they hate them. Obviously there just aren't enough (or apparently any) computer savvy programmers who hate macs enough to programme a virus for them (yes, unlike PC's). In a way, the PC's and the ppl who use them are really just getting what they deserve .. they helped to create these plagues - now you need to find ways of living with them. good luck with that. :) :beer:

So who's going to call him on THIS ridiculous claim? No one? I guess I will.

That is the most ****ing ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Try telling that one to an actually computer science person.

Riiigghhhttt......

P.S. 14% (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/17/apple_snags_14_percent_of_us_based_pc_retail_sales_in_february.html) of the market. Uh oh. At that rate, Macs will be >50% of the market in 7-8 years.

Stay tuned junior. Have Daddy buy you some Apple stock while it's cheap.

I'm a dingle berry fool who bought a Mac because I don't know anything about computers. So, while Timmy doesn't speak for all of us, there is some truth to his comment. However, a lot of people who don't know much about computers buy PCs too.

I'm interested in where Apple ranks as a provider of home computers. 14% sounds like a pretty good market share. Are they second to Dell?

I really don't know whether Macs are more secure, but hopefully they're free of nagware...you know, like the popup that keeps asking me if I want to install iTunes and Safari along with my Adobe reader update. :rolleyes:

Those of you who know the difference between a microkernel and monolithic kernel would have the background to answer this question.

Ahh monday morning fun. Gotta love the hate :)...

And no, for me personally, mac is not worth it, however I have recommended them to clients who are not computer savvy and they can't stop raving about how well they work and how little (none) they break, in contrast to me being called every couple of weeks due to irresponsible web practices now there are no problems. Security by obscurity works well for the time being.

The perfect client, happy with my recommendation and no ongoing support needed. Mac has its place, just not in front of me personally :)

Those of you who know the difference between a microkernel and monolithic kernel would have the background to answer this question.

... but would not have a sex life.


I kid! Gotta kid the mac users.

The reality is, it is security through obscurity.

The best security is being an educated user - regardless of what platform you are using.

I hear they are pretty secure boat anchors.
My buddies boat does not drift at all when he throws that old mac over the side. It can be a little tough pulling it up, but it doesn't drift when its anchored.

I hear they are pretty secure boat anchors.
My buddies boat does not drift at all when he throws that old mac over the side. It can be a little tough pulling it up, but it doesn't drift when its anchored.

heh. i've got a couple of those... my IIfx weighs almost 25 pounds.

i really want a Mac Portable, though. it's a "laptop." that weighed 16 pounds. and used a lead-acid battery for power. what's not to love?

Those of you who know the difference between a microkernel and monolithic kernel would have the background to answer this question.

Is the microkernel from those tiny ears of corn you see at fancy buffets? :D

OK, alright, somebody has to post this in the mac thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAGmBRC1dc

Riiigghhhttt......

P.S. 14% (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/17/apple_snags_14_percent_of_us_based_pc_retail_sales_in_february.html) of the market. Uh oh. At that rate, Macs will be >50% of the market in 7-8 years.

Likewise, if they can more than triple their market share again in the following 7-8 years, they'll have well over 150% of the market. It will be nirvana.

OK, alright, somebody has to post this in the mac thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEAGmBRC1dc

Best one eva....but I don't think those issues apply to this gen of macs ;)...

The Origin of Timmyquest:

"One fine evening, before i had the internet, i was in 6th grade, i asked my mom if i could to the library to create this thing my friends were calling, an email.
I'm not real sure why i needed it, but i figured i should get one.
So i sit down and they tell me that i had to come up with a name. "Tim" was already taken. So then i decided to get creative. I thought of my family, john my brother popped into my head. Then i went off into a tangent about the game johnny quest that came with my dads new amazing computer, it was a whole 350mhz!
Then it struck me. Timmyquest...
I then started using it everywhere, for everything, next thing i know there are people who frequented similer types of message boards that i did. It started out with paintball message boards.
Then some of the guys i saw on the paintball message boards, i saw on the computer message boards. I didnt want to change my name because i wanted people to remember that i was the guy who was asking about the new paintball gun.
Next thing i know, i'm 19 years old and i've had the same name for this entire time.
You may think having this name for so long represents my desire to still be a kid. Thats simply not the truth, it's simply because i dont want to deal with changing it in so many places.

By the way, i still play paintball to feel like a kid every once and a while."

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/695/picture1ld8.png

I use my MAC off-line just to run a DOS based game I like. My wife is a card-carrying, engineer degreed, tech support computer guru and maintains a commercial grade firewall on our PC. I still worry going on-line.

14% of the market. Uh oh. At that rate, Macs will be >50% of the market in 7-8 years.

Stay tuned junior. Have Daddy buy you some Apple stock while it's cheap.

When the Mac becomes mainstream, where will all the cool people go? http://media.scout.com/media/forums/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Apple stock is a historical roller coaster. I coulda been rich if I had just put my faith in Steve, who is admittedly up there among the best cult leaders. http://media.scout.com/media/forums/emoticons/tongue.gif

I grew up in Cupertino, surrounded by orchards of various types. Then a "non-native species" Apple took over the whole town. I was never tempted to purchase any Apple product. Overpriced and overly proprietary, although I admit there's nothing cooler than the Ipod Touch my friend bought. I also avoid Sony as much as I can. When Sony first released a music player it didn't even play MP3 files. Two arrogant companies.

Overpriced and overly proprietary, although I admit there's nothing cooler than the Ipod Touch my friend bought.

heh. most of the people i know (both in and out of the computer science department here) consider me an Apple drone/apologist/whatever.

and i hate the iPod Touch (and the iPhone). let's make a mobile device that requires visual attention and supplies no tactile feedback. because nobody would try to use one while driving, right?

Not for nothing, but I purchased my first Mac in 1984. Timmy wasn't born yet. I've been running my business on a network of 4 Macs since 1991. Here at my little company I'm the IT guy. I know something about PC's.

That's why my Dell is now a paperweight.

That's why my Dell is now a paperweight.
seems a bit cumbersome.

I use macs, i have nothing against macs. Let me be clear, most the dingle berries who buy windows based products don't know what the hell they are doing either.

It's why i get about 10 calls a month asking for assistance with "my wireless router". Unplug it, plug it back in, call me back if it doesnt work....they rarely call.

I actually had someone ask me to come check why their computer wouldn't start "Is it plugged in?"...problem solved.

People are scared of computers for some reason. Macs are built nicely and are marketed even better. They are targeted much less than windows based machines. They are gaining ground, their dooms day will come, i promise. Just like Windows.

FWIW
The next release of windows that will be of any value will be one that is designed from the ground up.

IThe next release of windows that will be of any value will be one that is designed from the ground up.

I will be interested to see if this actually holds true. They have claimed this before.

I will be interested to see if this actually holds true. They have claimed this before.

I honestly don't even know what the last consumer based version of windows that has been designed as such...it certainly wasn't XP or Vista...

I recently heard of a platform they are developing that they claim is purely experimental and will not ever see the market, as if it is some sort of test ground for other things. This, has been created from nothing, and i wouldn't be surprised if it is going to eventually be a new version of windows. One can only hope :rolleyes:

the Apple premium may be worth it.

This statement is 100% false.

Most of the dingle berries that spend the money on macs are the fools who don't know anything about computers in the first place. Why would you believe what comes out of their mouth then in regards to any level of security?

Macs are viewed as being secure because apple only has an 8% market share. Why would you attack 8% of the market when you can do the same to the 65% of the world that runs Windows...

You're a tool. But that is a known issue.