Viruses, you got 'em.
This is just a general post about something that has really pissed me off recently, especially in light of the current Windows worm attacks.
People, put your heads on straight, you are not immune to really quite nasty virus attacks - we get away with it, to a certain extent, due to our low numbers, even if someone does get infected the spread is relatively slow.
And let's be fair, as Mac users we all love each other, so we aren't in the habit of trying to kill each other's machines, right?
But amongst us walk the fools with the potential to put those viruses out there (look at that drongo who ripped the guts out of a G5 to put in a PC board - we should be glad he's not one of us).
There are ways into Macs that are in some ways much more difficult to control and detect. Don't be complacent, look after your own security.
Be safe, not sorry.
People, put your heads on straight, you are not immune to really quite nasty virus attacks - we get away with it, to a certain extent, due to our low numbers, even if someone does get infected the spread is relatively slow.
And let's be fair, as Mac users we all love each other, so we aren't in the habit of trying to kill each other's machines, right?
But amongst us walk the fools with the potential to put those viruses out there (look at that drongo who ripped the guts out of a G5 to put in a PC board - we should be glad he's not one of us).
There are ways into Macs that are in some ways much more difficult to control and detect. Don't be complacent, look after your own security.
Be safe, not sorry.
Comments
No, we are not invulnerable to attack. But the chances of something happening that would be cause for widespread alarm are minimal. Don't spread FUD.
Originally posted by torifile
Don't spread FUD.
Don't be a sap all your life, you are as vunerable as they are, *you* just don't know it.
Don't keep on about Mac OS X this, UNIX that, you don't know what you are talking about. Most of the security that could be in place in a UNIX environment is washed away by your own actions via the GUI.
Just think about it, you don't even know a tenth of the capability of your own system, but you're going to put so much faith in what others' say?
This is no troll, I'm a Mac user, and I've done my best to avoid ever using PCs.
Originally posted by Clive
Don't be a sap all your life, you are as vunerable as they are, *you* just don't know it.
Don't keep on about Mac OS X this, UNIX that, you don't know what you are talking about. Most of the security that could be in place in a UNIX environment is washed away by your own actions via the GUI.
Just think about it, you don't even know a tenth of the capability of your own system, but you're going to put so much faith in what others' say?
This is no troll, I'm a Mac user, and I've done my best to avoid ever using PCs.
I am not vulnerable.. i have had pc's amigas, macs., I NEVER EVER have had a virus Ever.. why? Because I aint a stupid twinkie...
No, seriously.
If Clive can write a virus that auto-spreads* on MacOS X, and I'll eat my hat.
Hell, I'll go buy one just to eat it.
* No user intervention needed. No running anything, just opening up a mail message, for example. Not the attachment, the message.
You've got... well, as much time as you need. Ready? *click* Go.
Originally posted by ipodandimac
What's FUD mean?
Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. It was a cornerstone of IBM's competitive strategy during the Bad Old Days(TM) and it has been faithfully copied by Intel and Microsoft.
Basically, the tactic only works if you're in a "safe" position (maybe you've heard the phrase "nobody ever got fired for buying IBM?"). Someone comes out with a product that gets a lot of press or reaction, and you immediately say that you're going to announce a product that's better in every way and compatible with the standard, implying of course that if you buy the other product, you're stranded. Then, having introduced fear, uncertainty and doubt into the minds of potential buyers, you sit back, and if the competitor's product actually gets traction you start working on your version (which, classically, is late, underfeatured, and overpriced). Otherwise, you wait for the hype to die off and for everyone to forget that anything happened.
The MS strategy of saying the iPod is "proprietary" and "incompatible with the majority of music players and stores" is classic FUD.
The phrase is used more informally around here to refer to any attempt to introduce fear, uncertainty and doubt.
Originally posted by Clive
Don't be a sap all your life, you are as vunerable as they are, *you* just don't know it.
Don't keep on about Mac OS X this, UNIX that, you don't know what you are talking about. Most of the security that could be in place in a UNIX environment is washed away by your own actions via the GUI.
Just think about it, you don't even know a tenth of the capability of your own system, but you're going to put so much faith in what others' say?
This is no troll, I'm a Mac user, and I've done my best to avoid ever using PCs.
Doesn't mean it isn't FUD...
Maybe we should take the word of an FBI computer security expert instead of yours? http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/215
NO system is 100% secure. But to say that we're 'as vulnerable' as Windows users shows only ignorance. Sorry, but true.
until then, i'm enjoying life.
maybe i'll write a Mac virus that goes something like this:
*send e-mail to all mac users i know with the following text:*
Mac users don't get viruses. To fix this shortcoming, please copy this e-mail to every Mac user you know, and ask them to do the same.
Thank you for doing your part to make sure that Macs aren't left out.
While anti-viral measures could be taken, it seems that effort would better be spent elsewhere when using OS X.
For instance, kick the compuslive urge to empty your trash. Until you come close to running out of space, emptying the trash poses a risk of deleting something that you will later want. This compulsive trash emptying is responsible for more data loss than Mac OS X viri.
The list of safe-guards more important than viri-awareness is lengthy and should likely start with a fool proof backup regime.
Sure, awareness is good but only if that time couldn't be spent elsewhere. Why concentrate on testing your brake lights if your master cylinder is on the verge of breaking.
That's right. I flat out advise other OS X users to ignore the risk of viri and concentrate on backing up their data.
Windows WILL allow you to alter core files, and no passwords are required for installations.
Viruses simply cannot do the same dammage to Macs as they can to P.C.'s - the Windows platform is practically begging for these types of attacks.
Originally posted by PS5533
stupid me...i dont know but can you hire someone to take viruses off for you at a reasonable price? i mean for PCs and MACs or is it a do it your self type thing
I know it isnt popular to be the bitch about grammar, but the "MAC" thing is very annoying and oh so noob! MAC does not stand for anything, but Mac is short for Macintosh.
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
I know it isnt popular to be the bitch about grammar, but the "MAC" thing is very annoying and oh so noob! MAC does not stand for anything, but Mac is short for Macintosh.
heh, while we're on the subject, it's such a pet-peeve of mine, talking to windows users and they ask things like "oh does MAC do that too?" or "I'm sure MAC makes good computers, but I'm familiar with windows so I'm sticking with it"
d'oh!
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
I know it isnt popular to be the bitch about grammar, but the "MAC" thing is very annoying and oh so noob! MAC does not stand for anything, but Mac is short for Macintosh.
no, no, no, no i appreciate the criticizm i don't like displeasing people and have recently made the switch(despite the fact that i have been following apple and Mac for a lil while and placebo has taught me alot). so i do what i see... thanks
Originally posted by Wrong Robot
heh, while we're on the subject, it's such a pet-peeve of mine, talking to windows users and they ask things like "oh does MAC do that too?" or "I'm sure MAC makes good computers, but I'm familiar with windows so I'm sticking with it"
d'oh!
yeah that was me before placebo schooled me about how great Macs are...i have a PC and a TiBook was sent to me today so ill be a genuine Mac user now... no more "does MAC do that too"
MAC does not stand for anything
It stands for Media Access Control, relating to how ethernet works. Most modern Macs have several MAC addresses, one for each network interface.
Where you had a lot of computers running the same application communicating through the internet (MS SQL wasnt it) and someone writes a worm that spreads through a buffer overflow exploit. So then, its not the platform to blame but the application.
From my limited understanding I believe OS X out of the box is configured to prevent applications from altering critical system functions, so if a slammer type attack were to take place the only thing affected would be the application and your network resources.
As for trojan style attacks that require a user must execute a file OS X will prompt the user for thier administrative password. If you key in your admin password and run malicious code on your system, thats your own problem. I doubt many others will do the same and really you can only harm stuff in your home folder. MS users generally dont have their computers configured with limited permissions out of the box so they dont have to enter an admin password when they click that trojan.exe file (everyone makes mistakes).
No system with IO to the outside world is invulnerable to attack (you could put an exploit on CD and put it in the computer, just write free porn on the CD and hand it to the owner of target system). But OS X has reasonable safeguards in place to prevent catastrophic loss of productivity.
If your afraid your Mac might catch a virus, read a little about how these things work and take appropriate steps to harden your system and your computing habits.
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
I know it isnt popular to be the bitch about grammar, but the "MAC" thing is very annoying and oh so noob! MAC does not stand for anything, but Mac is short for Macintosh.
Bzzt. Sorry.
MAC specifically refers to the Media Access Control for networking
MAC Address definition
MAC Layer definition
more Google results for MAC
Correct usage issues, not an issue of MAC standing for nothing.
[ edit: jeez, you take the time to find evidentiary links and Stoo beats you to the punch. ]