Does OSX security suck?

Posted:
in macOS edited January 2014
Here's a hacker, supposedly turned 'good', who claims that OSX security lags far behind Windows' today.



Does he have a point?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    tontontonton Posts: 14,067
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist View Post


    Here's a hacker, supposedly turned 'good', who claims that OSX security lags far behind Windows' today.



    Does he have a point?



    He can't possibly have a point until the effects of Mac security are worse than the effects of Windows security.
  • Reply 2 of 5
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,310moderator
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Rokcet Scientist View Post


    Here's a hacker, supposedly turned 'good', who claims that OSX security lags far behind Windows' today.



    Does he have a point?



    Nowhere does he say it lags far behind, he mainly reiterates what many security researchers have said. Windows implements some better security techniques than Apple does currently but it's one or two features that Apple can put in any system update.



    The Windows system design is still seriously flawed. It relies on the registry and this is a huge target for malware and viruses. Mac OS X has no such feature that can take down the OS in such a way that you cannot restore it easily.



    Every system at present has serious security flaws but to define the security situation as Windows > Linux > Mac or whatever, is little more than pandering to fanboys.



    Simple questions can totally change the viewpoint:



    Can you get a virus or malware on Windows? yes

    Can you get a virus or malware on Mac OS X? No



    Chance of a non-targeted security threat on Windows: high

    Chance of a non-targeted security threat on Mac OS X: zero



    It may change in future and Apple does need to address security policies, more so for their mobile devices but it's clear they are aware of it.
  • Reply 3 of 5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    little more than pandering to fanboys.



    That's my impression too.
  • Reply 4 of 5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Marvin View Post


    Simple questions can totally change the viewpoint:



    Can you get a virus or malware on Windows? yes

    Can you get a virus or malware on Mac OS X? No



    Simple questions are precisely that: simple questions!

    Because you're WRONG!

    You cannot get a virus on MacOSX, because there aren't any (in the wild), but you can get other malware – such as Trojan Horses – on MacOSX!



    So watch what you click! If you have OSX and get infected – by non-viral malware – it is user fault!!! I.o.w.: your fault!

    You can't blame it on invisible viruses...
  • Reply 5 of 5
    spotonspoton Posts: 645member
    Any computer system can get malware if it succeeds in tricking the user.
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