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Reports Of Mac Security Vulnerability Appear to Be Overhyped

by Will Safer on December 3, 2008 at 08:03 PM



Apple caused a bit of a stir among Macintosh users this week when it seemed to say users would be wise to install "multiple antivirus utilities so that virus programmers have more than one application to circumvent." But wait, aren't Macs supposed to be virus free and virus defeating right out of the box? It's the Windows users who have to be constantly vigilant against viruses, spyware, Trojan horses and all sorts of other online baddies.

Well, the stir may have been for nothing. It started with a simple updating to a help page, or "KnowledgeBase" article, on the Apple Web site that revised the computer company's position on how its customers should protect their machines. The page has since been removed by Apple but you can see a saved version of it here.

Apple spokesman Bill Evans told CNET "We have removed the KnowledgeBase article because it was old and inaccurate." Macs have built-in protection against malicious software and security threats "right out of the box," he explained. "However, since no system can be 100 percent immune from every threat, running antivirus software may offer additional protection."

Microsoft Windows has been criticized throughout the years for having many security vulnerabilities while Macs have the reputation of being safe. Part of the reason is that Windows really does have more holes in its system where hackers can get through. The other reason is that Windows so dominates the market that hackers see it as a more attractive target.

Now, a day later, the reports are urging calm for Mac users. That doesn't mean you should let your guard down for those 419 scams. (We just love talking about those.) [Source: CNET.]

Tags: anti-virus, Apple, hype, security, top, Virus, Windows

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