Daves Computer Tips Newsletter Comments
You guys are great.
So good I'm donating now.
Thanks
"If you have friends who have Mac computers, or for that matter have ever been in the same room with a Mac owner, I'm sure you've heard that Macs aren't susceptible to virus, spyware, or malware infections."
I'm an IT Manager in a mixed-platform shop. I also do freelance Mac consulting, belong to a local Mac user group, and actively particpate in online forums.
I've never heard any Mac user anywhere claim that Macs are immune to malware.
Unless you can cite an actual case, I think you should retract this statement.
"Apple just isn't a big target... Apple's share of the computer market is estimated in the 2% to 4% range."
For the most recent quarter, Apple's share of the US market is actually over 8%; they're #3, behind only HP and Dell.
"Why target such a small audience? The answer is simple; They haven't... Until now."
Actually, in the days before Apple released Mac OS X, Mac malware wasn't uncommon -- trojans and viruses spread in the wild.
Compared to the nineties, Apple is a much bigger "target" (to use your terminology); the installed base is much higher, the number of viruses in the wild is zero.
I have often heard the claim that hackers don't attack Macs because the target is too small, but I've yet to hear anyone explain why they attacked Macs when the target was much smaller than it is now.
Perhaps you can expalin it? Or perhaps you should retract your statement.
"Intego and McAfee have confirmed the existence of the first Mac OS Trojan in the wild."
Actually, even that statement isn't true. This is at least the third Trojan that Intego has publicized over the last four years. Just look at their press release page and search for the word Trojan:
http://www.intego.com/news/pressroom.asp
Mac OS exploits have been shown in research papers and proof of concepts, but this one is out there looking to infect actual computers.
The term "infect" is blatantly misleading. A trojan is no more infectious than crack or heroin. Like crack addicts, people who get attacked by this trojan are a victims of their own choosing.
I think you should retract your statment about it "looking to infect" computers.
To get hit by this bit of malware a user must:
1. Choose to download a “video codec” from an untrusted website,
2. Ignore the browser warning that the download contains an application,
3. mount the disk image and launch the installer,
4. Enter the username and password of a user with admin privileges.
This doesn't exploit any known security vulnerability in the Mac OS.
To emphasize my point (and, to some extent, yours, too):
Let's say some stranger rings your doorbell, and asks (through the closed door) to come in visit. So you unlock the door and let him in, only to disocver he's an armed robber who takes all your valuables.
Does this suggest that the lock is somehow faulty? Or the lock owner?
I look forward to your reply.
Steve Klein
IT Manager
Steve,
I really appreciate your reply and will continue this through email, but...
This is a Windows oriented publication and you do have to admit that Apple owners and Apple itself act a little "holier than thou".
