Apple systems more vulnerable to virus attacks than Microsoft, says Security Expert

With Apple products gaining more popularity, some hardcores are still in the dark believing that Apple software is much safer than the programs being run on a Microsoft based system. A security expert begs to differ.

[whateva]

so where are all the Apple viruses?

[dangert12]

that is better protected the the over o.s's is stupid it a popularity thing they will catch up as everyone starts to move over

[NateNater]

Read this http://www.cnn.com/2009/TEC...

It's just a little more info on your question.

[Mista T]

a lot more people have a windows OS so people who make viruses target the largest market

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

Ive had the same comp for 5 years now and no virus.

I never really understood the who "windows get more viruses" argument as I dont get viruses.

If I had a Mac I probably wouldnt get a virus either.

[jden28]

People in the trenches tinkeres, script kiddies, and wannabe hackers have simlpy never bothered to attack the mac in masses, but best believe as the app store gets big just as google learned MS OS's aren't necessarily less secure just attacked moren so as apple gets more popular it's a double edged sword it will get attacked more and more and as it does you will see more viruses...

[Tony999Montana]

@1.2
Trojan=/=virus. Therefore you didn't answer his question

[Cyorg]

People don't write viruses for the smallest market share. If I'm going to take the time to write a virus, I want it to affect as many people as possible. So I'm going to write it for Windows.

[Raz]

Yeah, I got that one. A quick scan with Norton killed it, though.

The first rule of connecting to the internet is the same as the first rule of sex. Always use protection.

[wpggamer]

The guy never actually says that macs are easier to attack, just that it is possible. Fact is, with windows the default account is administrator. That basically means that without a password, anything can be done to the machine. With macs and all nix's, a password is required. Basic, but enough to prevent most attacks. As far as hacker competitions go, it is the web browser which is most vulnerable, which is the case with all machines. It's still difficult to get a program to run without the knowledge of the user, unlike in windows.

[ReBurn]

http://antivirus.about.com/...

Here's some info on Mac viruses. Apple's OS software has exploitable holes just like Windows and Linux. Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen, which is just what the hackers love.

[NaiNaiNai]

lol I love mac owners, they know nothing about computers.

I can hack your mac os in 5 minutes in front of it. :D change all your passwords get all your files and be out without you ever knowing.

its pathetic easy..

BTW I don't need extra software to do this, its in the mac console.

unlike windows which I need a bootdisk.

[Raz]

Any doofus can mess with a computer he's sitting in front of and logged into. How is that even considered hacking?

[ForROME]

Im an IT Director and I have said this for yrs, Apple has always been easier to attack but because they are not the majority market share holder, people dont waste their time, Hackers like the TOP DOGS thats how they gain their name.

[jjesso1993]

Its allways been the case but theres little interest and the userbase is so low easyer make viruses for windows i thought this was common knowledge

[BrianC6234]

There's only one reason this is true. Most Mac owners don't have antivirus software. But there aren't many Mac viruses. There are some viruses that mostly hit Windows that can hit the Mac too but most viruses are Windows only.

[SaiyanFury]

Couldn't have put it better myself. Macs are immune to Windows-based viruses, but should someone create a virus designed to attack a Mac environment, because of the absence of anti-virus software, a Mac would be completely vulnerable.

[Premonition]

theres one minor correction you forgot, the reason why there arent any antiviruses for Mac os its not like its 100% open to attacks its because apple has built it in within the OS itself, but like everyone says all it takes is someone to write a program for that OS to mess it up.

[Raz]

What absence?

I personally use several firewalls, antivirus software, encoded routers, port monitors, vulnerability scanners, browser cryptography, IP traceroute programs and a few other little surprises.

Macs have protective options, I assure you.

[bjornbear]

i probably have loads of viruses on my Mac...they jsut don't do anything xD

[Speed-Racer]

yea cause you downloaded a windows virus, which does nothing..get a mac virus and ull be thinking twice.

[Cryos]

i believe that's what he was saying....

[Darkfocus]

:D

[bsukenyan]

it's pretty easy to make one like that...the hardest part would be getting that object that the drive is attached to, the rest is cake (and that's not a lie)

[dark355]

I had to take my MacBook Pro in twice for service within the first 6 months of use. The first time they had to exchange the computer for a new one and on the second they replaced the hard drive. They asked me what programs I had installed on the computer and both times I mentioned I had anti-virus installed. On both occasions after mentioning I had anti-virus installed the employees lectured me that I didn't need anti virus because there were no viruses for the Mac OS and that the Mac OS was very secure. It amazed me how uneducated these workers were. The Mac OS is not very secure. Typically, the Mac OS is hacked into first (when compared to Windows) during hacking competitions.

[AliTheBrit19]

Yah

Basically

a Microsoft system is more LIKELY to get a virus simply because it will be targeted more.

But an Apple system is theoreticaly easier to attack if you are a hacker.

[Infamous Gamer]

I have a Macbook Pro and MY family uses an Imac. We had them for 3 years. Not a single problem.

[Letros]

Congrats on your family having the basic intelligence required to not get a virus on any platform. You guys are going places.

[anonymouse111335]

Mac is far less secure than windows, proven fact, even the iphone is very unsecure, I remember reading on gizmodo that everytime you switch applications it takes a screenshot to get the fade out effect, but it's not deleted, and with simple data forensics you can get all sorts of stuff from that, say you last put in your credit card number, a private message on facebook etc.

If you have mac you NEED a anti-virus, people think viruses break into computers and destroy them, those days are long gone, viruses today are after credit card numbers, they don't want you to know you have a virus, I've had plenty of viruses over the years that I've got by scanning my computer with anti-virus and I noticed little to no change in performance. You should always do a virus scan before buying something online (or even putting in personal information), macs are a target since almost no one uses anti-virus, and it's a feasible market share, windows most people have anti-virus (out of date and crappy ones, but they're still there none the less) and linux is too small to even be a target.

[dkgshiz]

Its pretty hard to even get a virus anyways. Unless your an idiot and download lots of porn.

[bsukenyan]

I am glad that this message keeps getting put out there, because I am tired of mac users who don't know any better tout the whole can't get virus issue over me because I love windows. It is simply not worth it to write a virus for a mac, it won't affect enough businesses or people.

But I do just wish that someone would write a virus for mac's...not that I am wishing harm to another computer, maybe just a virus that has a pop up message that stays with them for a while informing them as to how easy it was to write the virus for a mac and that should this be a deadly virus you would be screwed.

[ReBurn]

Virus writers don't skip Mac because it's impossible to compromise. That community of people who write viruses are about credibility and respect through the amount of damage they cause, and there's not much credibility in compromising a small percentage of users that only make up about 5% of the overall OS market. These people focus on Windows because that's where they can do the most damage.