January 25, 2008
Macs May Lose Safety Advantage Over Windows
Macs just aren’t as safe as they used to be. Users of Macintosh computers, including many in higher education, have touted their machines’ superiority over Windows and PC’s when it comes to resisting hack attacks and viruses. But according to Sophos, a computer-security firm that just issued a report on security problems, Macs are losing their safety edge.
“Although Macs have a long way to go in the popularity stakes before they overtake PC’s, particularly in the workplace, their increased attractiveness to consumers has proven irresistible to some criminal cybergangs,” Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said in a written statement.
Such criminals have, up until now, largely ignored Macs because so many poorly protected Windows machines serve as ripe targets. But in late 2007, versions of the malicious OSX/RSPlug Trojan horse were planted on Web sites to infect Mac surfers, with the goal of identity theft and phishing, the Sophos report says.
Since the malware worked, there may be more Mac attacks in 2008 — that’s the way these things go. But if Mac users adopt good computer hygiene (scan for viruses, don’t accept unknown e-mail, etc.), then attackers will probably renew their focus on the larger target, Windows, and leave Macs alone. —Josh Fischman
Posted on Friday January 25, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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This comment is like saying that drivers in their 30s may lose their advantage in the accident statistics over teen agers, because some of them have accidents! The probability of trouble per Mac is immensely lower, the only statistic that matters, even if not exactly zero.
— michael scriven Jan 25, 04:59 PM #
this is ridiculous. Every OS has flaws, and there will always be people that will want to exploit those flaws. More people searching for exploits doesn’t mean an OS is less secure. And making it sound that way is sensationalism. OS X, due to its Unix foundation and further enhancements by Apple is still far safer than Windows is whether or not it is being targeted. One or two attacks that have garnered press do not constitute its losing its “edge”. There have always been viruses and malware out there against Macs, just now that they’re gaining market share newswriters feel they need to bring this up and make wildly false presumptions about where the OS is going. This isn’t news. It’s hype.
— Joel Jan 26, 12:32 AM #
Anyone who bothers to read this note soon discovers that it’s hype. What about those who stop with the headline? Does the Chronicle honestly believe that items like this increase its reader’s confidence in their ability to be credible in the area of technology?
— --jim Jan 26, 09:33 AM #
Mr. Fischman should have read the entire story, and the linked report before calling his friends Henny-Penny and Turkey-Lurkey.
Sophos, obviously relieved to have their three years of running predictions about Mac security finally made to look as though they might have come marginally true found a trojan that has to be CLICKED ON to be downloaded. However, honesty compelled them to grudgingly admit the trojan horse “doesn’t exploit a vulnerability in OS X, Leopard, Tiger, or any Apple code.”
Sheesh!
— RobertJ Jan 28, 06:42 AM #
I really hate this type of speculative “news story”. It’s like the comment I heard recently that said Windows 7 may be the best version of Windows yet. Yeah, right. When have I not heard that before.
This is what I hate about mainstream media. Too much speculation. You know, what if “a” happens, then “b” happens while “c” is happening? The sky is falling….ahhh.
— D.Lee Beard Jan 28, 08:30 AM #
The targets of malicious software will continually change, but this story neglects to mention key facts in this case. The full story on the OSX/RSPlug Trojan horse is that to have it affect a computer, it:
1. requires the user to visit a pornographic web site,
2. requires the user to accept the download of the file,
3. requires the user to manually run the downloaded installer,
4. requires the user to enter the computer’s administrative account to install the files.
The real danger is not in the operating system, it is in the ignorance of the user. The real challenge for nearly all computer safety is making sure people know what actions risk compromising your own information or the integrity of your computer.
— Lucas Jan 28, 09:14 AM #
Is it perhaps a coincidence that Sophos sells anti-virus software for the Mac? At any rate, this is such backward reporting it is embarrassing for a news agency that deals with higher-ed. The truth is, that Windows is infested like a junkyard dog, and Macs have never even had any serious virus problem. The real story is that Sophos is trying to scare Mac users into buying their unnecessary anti-virus software… Shame on the Chronicle for printing this garbage. I think a retraction is in order…
— Timothy O'Brien Jan 28, 10:48 AM #
I agree with the commenters above. Looks like the PR people at some PC maker’s headquarters will be high-fiving this afternoon.
— Brian C Jan 28, 01:02 PM #
The important point here is that the virus is a trojan. It requires the user’s action and authorization to run. No matter how secure an Operating System is, it is impossible to secure it from the user. If I told someone to reformat their hard drive to improve the performance of their comptuer, and they did it, you can’t say the OS is at fault! The problem is between the keyboard and the chair.
— jm Jan 30, 09:16 AM #