Mac Virus? Let's Settle This Thing!

[WalksWithChrist]

Not to sound too haughty (go figure!), but remember this fact:

There Are No OS X Viruses. None.

Every time a security/antivirus company points one out, it is always a failed prrof-of-concept item, and never something in the wild. Some examples require a user to do something, which does not fit the definition of a virus.

It is not security through obscurity. It's security through design.

Everybody say HI to my personal Mac guru!! Without him, I'd be just another PC user.

 

[WalksWithLimp]

Dang skippy. Now you've branched out. Ossum possum.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

Well, I think our little experiment is pretty much concluded.



But if anyone has anything...please post!

 

[wiggsfly]

Apple on Thursday issued a security update for Mac OS X that addresses 25 security flaws in the operating system software. The security update affects various parts of the operating system, including some third-party components such as the Kerberos authentication technology. The most serious of the vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to gain complete control over an unpatched Mac, Apple said in a security advisory.

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-6177758.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

 

[WalksWithChrist]

http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-6177758.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news

Once again, this thread is about virus attacks. Not security holes.

Apples and oranges.

Hacking does not a virus make!!

 

[TheReasoner]

Not to sound too haughty (go figure!), but remember this fact:

There Are No OS X Viruses. None.

Every time a security/antivirus company points one out, it is always a failed prrof-of-concept item, and never something in the wild. Some examples require a user to do something, which does not fit the definition of a virus.

It is not security through obscurity. It's security through design.

there were a couple. One bluetooth one, and some other one that required you to type in your password to be effective. So, I would not call them any threat. Both have been neutralized by updates from Apple anyway. So you are correct in your assertion; There are no viruses for mac os x!

 

[WalksWithChrist]

there were a couple. One bluetooth one, and some other one that required you to type in your password to be effective. So, I would not call them any threat. Both have been neutralized by updates from Apple anyway. So you are correct in your assertion; There are no viruses for mac os x!

Somebody give this man a biscuit!

 

[MacDaddy]

One of the reasons I switched from Vista/XP to OSX is I got really tired of buying antivirus software that was ineffective anyway. Most virus software is behind the times, that is they usually release an update to their definitions once an exploit is found. Windows by default tends to accept any and all information to the machine so of course it is more vulnerable. The antivirus crowds have to play catch up all the time because there are just so many holes, so many infinite ways to exploit the OS.

Not too mention that every antivirus scanner worth its salt will slow your system down some. It has to, to keep up with all of the information passing through it. You are asking it to check and recheck everything you do, which is darn near impossible, without making your system crawl.

Buying a firewall does help, as it closes many of the doors left open by windows (if you want to see how many of your doors are indeed open do a google search for GRC Shields Up. It is an online scanner that tests your open windows ports) therefore easing the load on the antivirus software. So now you have two pieces of software running on your computer to prevent your system from letting itself be attacked.

Lest we forget however there is also spyware, and oh Lord, don't get me started on that subject . . .

As someone explained above, the Mac is different because it works like Linux in effect removing the possibility of being infected unaware. You cannot get a virus on mac unless you allow it to happen or basically say yeah go ahead, which is great for me. This means I no longer have to spend too much money on a product i do not want and I currently do not have any virus, firewall or spyware programs on my MacMini, and I am not afraid.

Can i be hacked? yes anyone can, but at least i am not opening the door for them to come inside

 

[rdale]

I guess you just ought not use the Safari browser ehh.

Mac Cracked in Hack Attack

Just one day following Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) release of a security update containing 25 patches, two security researchers at the CanSecWest conference held in Vancouver, British Columbia, were able to hack into a MacBook using a zero-day exploit in Apple's Safari browser.

Shane Macauley, a software engineer, and Dino Dai Zovi, a security researcher, undertook the challenge as part of the "PWN to Own" Hack-a-Mac contest hosted by conference organizers.

The two were awarded a MacBook Pro computer and a US$10,000 prize.

 

[rdale]

Should have added that even with this teency temporary problem, I'm sure Apple will fix it in relatively light-year speed in comparison to MS's knuckle dragging fixit farm would.

 

[zoziw]

It looks like this is related Java handling in Quicktime and affects every browser and operating system running Quicktime and Java (including Windows).

Link

Looks like it is time for another security update from Apple.

 

[MacDaddy]

Agreed. As i said anyone and any system can be hacked. Given a virus, however is hard as heck on a Mac.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

*knock knock*

Hello McFly?

This thread is about Macs and virii. I've said this I don't know how many times!


There's a good reason why I didn't start a thread stating there are no security holes in OS X. Ya know?


Virus = apple (no pun intended! lol)
Security hole = orange

Can we move on now?

 

[rdale]

*knock knock*

Hello McFly?

...

Can we move on now?

*knock knock*

Hello WalksWithChrist?

...

Done.

buh byy...

 

[WalksWithChrist]

*knock knock*

Hello WalksWithChrist?

...

Done.

buh byy...

 

[RoXiEGrL07]

My parents and I have used MAC's for years and never had a problem. YEAH!! That is the great thing about mac's, no viruses!! I think the windows guys need to learn something from the mac guys!!!

 

[TheReasoner]

My parents and I have used MAC's for years and never had a problem. YEAH!! That is the great thing about mac's, no viruses!! I think the windows guys need to learn something from the mac guys!!!

I don't know... I think Windows while a good OS is far too open. it is poorly constructed on many area. This is good for us admins' in a controlled network. At work. Where we can set up firewalls, and good virus protection, limit or eliminate the users' rights on the computers and so on. But at home, for a home user Windows is certainly not the ideal operating system. I would choose either Linux Ubuntu or Mac OS X.
As Mac OS X is the easiest one to understand, and upgrade it is what I would recommend.
Though Ubuntu is gaining ground.

Windows for work, if your work needs it of course. Linux on web servers. Mac OS' at home or for graphical design.
Even though I use my mac at work. As a Windows (primarily) IT Counsultant.

 

[RoXiEGrL07]

I don't know... I think Windows while a good OS is far too open. it is poorly constructed on many area. This is good for us admins' in a controlled network. At work. Where we can set up firewalls, and good virus protection, limit or eliminate the users' rights on the computers and so on. But at home, for a home user Windows is certainly not the ideal operating system. I would choose either Linux Ubuntu or Mac OS X.
As Mac OS X is the easiest one to understand, and upgrade it is what I would recommend.
Though Ubuntu is gaining ground.

Windows for work, if your work needs it of course. Linux on web servers. Mac OS' at home or for graphical design.
Even though I use my mac at work. As a Windows (primarily) IT Counsultant.

I just want a newer imac. Dad is getting Leopard as soon as it comes out. I like Mac OS X.

 

[TheReasoner]

I just want a newer imac. Dad is getting Leopard as soon as it comes out. I like Mac OS X.

Ditto
Best operating system I know in very many ways.

It really is true, isn't it;
Once you get a mac, you'll never go back (to Windows)

 

[macrohard]

I'll concede for the moment that there are no "known" Mac viruses running in the wild right now.

But I still wouldn't let my guard down, Apple's responses to their security vulnerabilities do bother me.

As for a purchase, I'd still take Mac laptop over a Windows laptop any day. (In some cases its cheaper to buy a Mac)