Re: [O.T.] Computer problems

Kurt Huhn wrote:
Briarroot wrote:

Apple's OS may be more secure than Microsoft's, but the proof in this case is *not* in the pudding! ;-)

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,124543,00.asp


Ah, but that article pretty much reinforces what I've been saying. The first couple paragraphs say it all. It also reiterates the one basic fact of personal computing - The single weakest link in computing security is the user.

All OSs are not invulnerable - that's a given fact. But what I've been saying is that OS X is *more* secure than Windows. Even a hardened Windows install is no match for a hardened OS X install. And believe me, I've tested both OSs (and a dozen others) to the failing point many times during my career, and I stay right on top of these things.

I hear you. You're saying that OS X is not impervious, and I agree. However, it has the benefit of being based on OSs that are *by* *design* far more secure. What that means is that exploits are going to be far fewer, and are going to depend to a large extent on social engineering - and there's no amount of technology on the planet that can save a stupid user from himself.

As for why OS X comes with the firewall turned on by default? Why not? Any educated user would turn it on before pluggin in to a network anyway. That's the first thing that I enable on any system I install anywhere - whether at work or at home. That's just sound practice, ad should never be overlooked. I could easily turn that one around and ask why Windows doesn't, but last I looked, it did too.

OS X *is* probably inherently more secure than Windows, but what I'm saying is that if Microsoft and Apple's market positions were reversed and 95% of the personal computers connected to the internet were Macs, then the number exploitable bugs discovered in OS X would increase dramatically right along with the number of malware applications designed to infect Macs. Mac users should be aware that if their machines have not yet been attacked, it's merely because the crackers haven't got around to them yet, it doesn't mean they won't or can't. Mac users refusing to use security software is akin to not locking the door to one's home each night. Chances are no one will ever try to open it, but taking that chance is foolish when the solution is so simple. *Everyone* should be using virus scanners, firewalls, and anti-spyware utilities!

By co-incidence, this week's PC Magazine Security Warning email arrived last night with the following entry:

"Mac OS X Updates"

"Microsoft wasn't alone in issuing security updates. Apple
issued one update that fixed several critical vulnerabilities
in the OS X operating system. See what programs are at
risk in the Mac OS X Updates section."

http://ct.enews.pcmag.com/rd/cts?d=184-2636-14-56-62970-320312-0-0-0-1

As I said, I don't think it's a question of which OS is more secure, I think its a question of which is more popular and which has more criminals trying to break it.

Regards,

Tim Parker ... Samarra in a Savinelli Punto Oro bent billiard
.

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