Apple Quietly Admits Macs Get Viruses
Apple confirmed last Friday, to PC Magazine, that the latest version of OS X (10.6, or Snow Leopard) features a built-in anti-malware tool. Although OS X has had a feature called 'file quarantine' since the 10.4 days, the latest update automatically detects certain Mac-specific threats and suggests that the user quarantine them.
To start, Apple will only detect two different types of malware, but some are already questioning how effective Apple could possibly be at defending OS X against online threats. Apple doesn't have a great track record at promptly addressing security holes, after all. In fact, some may see (we among them) the Cupertino-based company's new anti-malware move as an unwitting challenge to online miscreants that could result in an explosion of harmful, Mac-targeted software. [From: BetaNews and PC Magazine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bill said 4:25PM on 9-02-2009
So, now the MacSnobs will have to admit they are merely human? Ecchhh.
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harveylubin said 7:34PM on 9-01-2009
Yup. We're human (always have been ;-)
But we don't get viruses like Windows users do.
Read below for the reason why.
Platinum_Skeet said 6:01PM on 9-01-2009
"after all. In fact, some may see (we among them) the Cupertino-based company's new anti-malware move as an unwitting challenge to online miscreants"
duh Duh DUH!!!!
Honestly Macs advertising always looks so biased 3-5 years after you see it. I give it 2 more years and all MS would have to do is re-run old mac commercials with a windows logo as advertising for how slow Apple is.
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harveylubin said 6:03PM on 9-01-2009
Your article tile "Apple Quietly Admits Macs Get Viruses" is... well let's say it's misleading.
The definition of a Virus is "A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without the permission or knowledge of the owner."
There has never been a Mac virus in the almost 10 years that it has been in existence. This is because nothing gets installed without an admin password being entered. A Mac cannot be infected "without the permission or knowledge of the owner." (unlike some other operating systems ;-)).
There have been a few examples of Trojans produced for Macs, but they never got very far because 1) you had to be tricked into downloading the Trojan, and 2) even after downloading it, you need to enter an admin password to install it.
This is not to say that Macs are immune to malware. They're not. But Macs are far more secure and impervious to malware attacks than PCs that run Windows.
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Terry said 12:36AM on 9-02-2009
I think you mean during the time OS X has been in existence. Macs have been a round since 1984 when I bought my first one.
Jonathan said 7:11PM on 9-01-2009
It's funny; Apple takes a measure to be more prepared for potential malware, and they try to make the news story "What if Apple's step to prepare for potential malware results in an explosion of malware???" and market the story as "Apple admits Mac OS X gets viruses."
I guess those years in journalism school really pay off when trying to make a minor improved safety feature into an anti-Apple news flash, but it sure looks like hard work.
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thincer said 3:42PM on 10-13-2009
In truth, what makes this a relevant title is the attitude of Apple and Mac owners that constantly brag that getting a virus is impossible...You are all deceived, All it takes for a Mac to get a virus is a hacker with enough monetary incentive to do so, or just to prove a point! Keep bragging...social deviants love that! And to the responder that insists that it impossible because and admin password needs to be entered before any program is installed..ever hear of phishing? People are duped all the time into thinking malware is necessary...Doh! The best way to keep your Mac from getting a virus is to turn it off and keep the issue out of the limelight by shutting your collective mouths, but thankfully we know this will never happen due to the arrogant attitudes of MOST Mac posers.
p.g. said 7:45PM on 9-01-2009
"There has never been a Mac virus in the almost 10 years that it has been in existence. "
i lost interest in your post the second i read this line. obviously you have no idea what you are talking about if you actually typed this in good faith.
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Nick said 8:13PM on 9-01-2009
p.g., it's too bad you lost interest in that post so quickly. harveylubin may not have been precisely correct, but his point is still valid. In the nearly 10 years that Mac OS X has been on the market (counting the Public Beta), there have been no viruses successfully written for it. There have, obviously, been hacks, malware, worms, and Trojans. So it is a little bit disingenuous to argue that Mac OS X has had no problems. But let's be honest... compared to the percentage of problems that the PC has with external attacks, it is relatively miniscule.
Nick said 11:40PM on 9-01-2009
@Nick
You and I know that those aren't "technically" viruses, but you know what all those are to people who don't know better (and those who the Mac "no viruses" advertising appeals to)? Viruses. Yeah, people who don't know better lump all that under virus. So to an average user, if a system can get a trojan (our term), it can get a virus (their interpretation).
Tom Stoneburner said 8:34PM on 9-01-2009
Apple's percentage of the home computer market is tiny compared to Microsoft. There isn't nearly as much incentive for virus/malware creators to work on OS X as there is for Windows.
All of the chest-thumping from Apple fanatics boils down to: "We don't have as many problems because the vast majority of the public doesn't want our OS."
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OS11 said 8:42PM on 9-01-2009
what a worthless article, apple said no such thing. it's technically impossible for a Mac to get a virus, so this is just another uneducated attempt to discredit the most secure OS in common use today. the author needs to learn about permissions, root, admin, launchd, how osx doesn't allow files to be moved from one user to the next, on and on. sure you'll see a trojan or worm from time to time, but never a virus, that's impossible because of the way BSD Unix is constructed.
this article is complete BS, now you know.
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p.g. said 1:03PM on 9-02-2009
"so this is just another uneducated attempt to discredit the most secure OS in common use today".
recent hacking contest that pitted the osx x vs vista vs linux completely invalidates your comment. you dont have to believe me, the news story is here:
http://www.itworld.com/mac-hacked-first-in-contest-080327
thing is guys, i am not a mac hater. i am one of the few windows network admins who have attempted a full mac rollout in the past few years. and sadly, the mac is still an appliance, not an enterprise ready machine ready for real work. i can go into detail about this if you want, but lets suffice it to say that i had purchased over 50k worth of mac gear only to have to return it when it proved itself not able to handle true enterprise level of working(we started with a small beta network of a few choice users). we wont even have to go into lack of software to make this case.
before the fanbois attack, please also know that i do know my way around linux enough to be able to work with the macs on the bsd level and not the pretty gui.
I am just anti stupidity. and sadly, fanbois of any flavor of os are generally blinded by their fanatacism and routinely tell lies about the os of their choice.
stop lying about the os, and you will have no objection from me. apple went in this direction for a reason. please accept the fact that your god is fallible and lets deal with the issues.
truth be told, if there was more of "dealing with the issue" and less pointless fanaticism proclaiming that in no way the apple was at fault, maybe a midsize corporation like the one i just set up with about 300 users would be mac based and not pc based.
Terry said 12:33AM on 9-02-2009
Another dumb article with even dumber commentary. There are no mac viruses in the wild. There are two trojans which is what this is designed to prevent and more can be added if necessary. One of the Trojans only comes from downloading an infected version of iWork form a torrent or other site. Compare this to the thousands of virii, trojans, and other malware for Windows. Unlike Microsoft Apple is taking responsibility for the security of their OS. If you have Apple envy then buy a Mac or be happy with what you.
If you know anything at all about why people write malware, and most of you don't. it is to get attention. Writing a successful pice of malware for the mac would certainly do that for you. But unlike the archaic Windows internal architecture (which includes Vista and Windows 7) you actually have to have some serious skill to do this. Whereas any script kiddie can write malware for Windows. Another reason this comparison is bogus, well OK downright idiotic..is because previous to OS X the Mac had plenty of viruses and it wasn't even the internet age yet.
Jesus what a bunch if whiners. Apple must really make you feel insecure. The very existence of OS X shows what a kludge Windows is. No wonder it drives you crazy.
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c774499 said 1:26AM on 9-02-2009
@harvey: old definition of virus is old
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AdamC said 2:07AM on 9-02-2009
The MS ads said it all, PCs are for people who are cheap, not sexy and not cool. Hard to believe they made up 95% of computer users.
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jp said 5:25PM on 10-13-2009
Not THE sexiest maybe...Just enough to get YOUR girlfriend!....She said she was tired of being around a douchebag that used all of her hair products and body lotion all the time...great addition to "MacsAreForDBags" club...thanks ADAM! P.S. no wonder you suck at W. O. W!
AdamC said 11:06PM on 10-13-2009
@jp
God bless you abundantly with a life that sucks real baaaaaaaaad....
doug Petrosky said 2:44AM on 9-02-2009
The only threat, so far, that mac users have seen, are a couple trojan attacks and then only for people stupid enough to install them. Apple adds software to make even those a non starter and you equate it to admitting defeat?
The ads don't say Macs CAN'T have problems they say that they DON'T have problems with viruses and malware. THIS IS A TRUE STATEMENT! Apple is making sure it stays true.
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borbye said 2:18AM on 9-02-2009
Damn, what planet are you living on Terrence. Just another twisted and corrupted piece of crap made by a pc guy who didnt even bother to investigate what he was writing about.
Ohh I am looking forward to the day I see a serious critical article about Macs describing the real negative sides - based on facts and not sour feelings...
...I admit its a difficult article to make - very few negatives..
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