Macintosh Users Beware!

[Bill Henry-]

For those of us MacAddicts who appear smug (with just a little hint of a smile) when we hear of the security of MS Windows being corrupted, CERT just released a vulnerability warning concerning the security (or lack of) of the Mac OS 10.

OS 9 doesn’t seem to be effected.

It is suggested that you download the updated version of your OS X which, Apple claims, has fixed the problem of hackers being able to access your system.

This CERT Advisory Site (http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/byid?searchview&query=Apple-2007-002) is a good one to bookmark regardless of what system you’re running.

[jframe]

Thanks, Bill.

[Stevebez]

Bill,

Windows has had what must be over a million attacks by now.
There have been well under 100 vulnerabilities found in OS X.
There has never been a virus for OS X.

I'm still grinning from ear to ear.:D

[Mike Labbe @ GTP]

I believe the first OS X virus was in feb of 2006.

Keep in mind that the OS X product is a familiar mac menu system that is running on top of a modified BSD platform, with its roots in unix. (BSD is the engine/operating system beneath it, with many improvements) BSD is frequently attacked and exploited, and in many cases the patches do not get to OSX users for some time. I believe there have been about 99 vulnerabilities to date, and 19% (19) of them still remain unpatched. Here are some graphs and stats that go into detail http://secunia.com/product/96/?task=statistics

In my opinion -- It's still important to use virus scanners, and keep up with security patches for ANY computer connected to the internet. While OS X may not currently be in the crosshairs of the people who make these things (they're going for big numbers, and the Macs, fortunately, arent on the radar), it could easily change. It's good to be grinning and proud, but please be safe too :)

Keep in mind, that this is just my opinion.

They did a great job with OS X! I predict that soon they'll be targeting Windows users to switch over, now that they are on the same hardware. If that happens, I think it's a good thing. Microsoft could use some competition!

Mike

[jframe]

I downloaded 2 updates and neither would run on my computer.

Thanks for the link, Mike.

[Dave]

Mike's right, it's a numbers game ...

The chance of being infected can be compared to being mostly chaste and still coming down with a sexually transmitted disease ...it only takes one time being in the wrong place at the wrong time.


It's better to be safe than sorry.


Dave Makielski

[Kirstie]

Thanks Bill. I have downloaded the updates on all our Macs at home and at work. I now have a Dell Precision sitting next to my design tables waiting for us to learn how to use IF. No choice on this one but to go to the Dark Side. And it is not protected! Yikes! Can anyone recommend a virus protection software which does not cost an arm and a leg and does the job? New in the PC world...
Kirstie

[Territ]

Bill,
Thanks for the reminder to allow my laptop to download the updates. I was just bragging on my Apple not being subject to virus.

Kirstie, there's a free pc download, it's adware ( or some close variation thereof) It isolates cookies, worms, trojan horses, and even nastier things.