Apple fanboys, weep and gnash teeth: Vista more secure than Mac OS

jqp · « **on:** 1 May 2007, 04:43 pm »

It took them a while but MS seems to have come a long way towards a secure OS

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/04/30/daizovi/index.php

ctviggen · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 May 2007, 04:49 pm »

Ok, you could title this thread with something less childlike. I take umbrage with the term "fanboys", and I don't own an Apple computer. Also, that there's one security concern where Apple is less secure than Vista does not prove that Macs are in toto less secure.

nathanm · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 May 2007, 05:49 pm »

I don't care so much about security, I want my computer to WORK and not get in my way. All this permission B.S. with OS X is a pain in the ass anyway. You use whatever software you're used to and what does the job, nobody's gonna suddenly jump ship because of "greater security". I'm getting really sick of security. I got locked out of my own bank account twice in one week thanks to increased "security"! What's your favorite movie? What nickname did you call your favorite grandparent? What instrument did you first learn to play? What was the name of the street you grew up on? GRRR!

But please, DO use Windows more and more. The less popular Macs are the less they will be targeted by hackers.

sts9fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 May 2007, 05:54 pm »

you nailed it. The only reason macs are safer is because no self respecting hacker is going to waste their time targeting the small amount of users.

jqp · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 May 2007, 06:12 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 1 May 2007, 04:49 pm

Ok, you could title this thread with something less childlike. I take umbrage with the term "fanboys", and I don't own an Apple computer. Also, that there's one security concern where Apple is less secure than Vista does not prove that Macs are in toto less secure.

Ah, but if you take umbrage, are you not a fanboy?

Just kidding! A lot of the sites I peruse have Apple owners, or PS3 or XBox owners referring to themselves as fanboys, but this was a bit of a snarky thread title, I admit. I thought it was interesting though, the comments of this security expert, in light of all the gloating by Macintosh fans over the years. I have a friend who is a windows programmer yet prefers to carry around a Macbook Pro and emulate windows to do his work when he is offsite. I have also liked the Mac, since 1984

One day when the price / performance is right I will actually get one. That is when I am ready to set up my home studio(s) - music, graphics, and video. I have been tempted before, by the Mac plus and most recently those new iMacs, but realize I would not want to run into upgrade limitations :sigh:

eric the red · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 May 2007, 06:15 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 1 May 2007, 05:49 pm

I don't care so much about security, I want my computer to WORK and not get in my way. All this permission B.S. with OS X is a pain in the ass anyway. You use whatever software you're used to and what does the job, nobody's gonna suddenly jump ship because of "greater security". I'm getting really sick of security. I got locked out of my own bank account twice in one week thanks to increased "security"! What's your favorite movie? What nickname did you call your favorite grandparent? What instrument did you first learn to play? What was the name of the street you grew up on? GRRR!

But please, DO use Windows more and more. The less popular Macs are the less they will be targeted by hackers.

Bank security question: " If Dick was traveling *** mph for 23.2 miles in one direction and Jane was traveling the other for 62.9 miles at *** mph, what movie were they going to see after Dick's *** recital on *** Street? "

dB Cooper · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 May 2007, 06:42 pm »

I heard Fista was hit with a virus the day it came out.

I am glad you are happy with your computer. I'm certainly happy with my Mac. Ain't life grand?

The_KiD · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 May 2007, 06:56 pm »

I gotta say, I purchased a new 17" Laptop with Vista Home Premium installed. Besides a little trouble and tweaking to get SlimServer to work, it runs flawlessly and I like the interface. It is really pretty cool. I dig MAC's too but I just did not want spend twice the money on what I wanted machine wise..

Cheers,

Chris

jqp · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 May 2007, 07:03 pm »

From the MacWorld article linked above:

With the ongoing ‘Mac OS X is safe’ vs. ‘You’re in denial’ debate, what would you recommend to a Mac user as reasonable security precautions?

I recommend that Mac users make their primary user a non-admin account, use a separate keychain for important passwords, and store sensitive documents in a separate encrypted disk image. I think these are fairly straightforward steps that many users can take to better protect their sensitive information on their computer.

nathanm · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 May 2007, 07:56 pm »

The way I figure you want to avoid two or three things, all of which are more or less easily avoidable:

1. Vandalism: a hacker deliberately destroys your machine so it does not work
2. Theft: a hacker looks for something valuable to steal
3. Embarassment: Wife\mom discovers your 900GB pornography stash.

I have never personally encountered #1. The targets of such malice are more likely to be corporate or government users, and less so the average home user. If you feel you are in a unique position to encounter such attacks it's likely that you've already got a number of flaming security hoops to jump through already.
#2 Don't keep anything on your machine that you are afraid to lose.
#3 This is tricky. Spread this out over recordable DVDs instead of on the hard drive. Title the discs with a very innocuous, boring title like "Microsoft Powerpoint Clip Art" or "NVidia video driver patch" and stash them in a drawer somewhere. Educate yourself on the trail of breadcrumbs one leaves behind as they use a computer. Make sure to clear out all recent items folders and browser histories. DON'T add bookmarks for lactatingnuns.com or anything like that. It looks bad.

Your own worst enemy is yourself. The likelihood of me wrecking my own computer is vastly more likely than anyone else doing it. Of course outside attack is possible, but how likely? The most critical thing is to back up anything you don't want to lose and\or have to do over. Just like flossing - the dentists ain't bullshitting you, you've gotta floss the teeth you want to keep.

Got sensitive info to share with others? Use PGP encryption. But you have to have a buddy system with an equally tech-savvy, security-loving associate willing to jump through these hoops with you. Otherwise the PGP-encrypted e-mail is about as useful as an 8-track cassette. Of course, the truly paranoid will have to worry about remote keystroke scanners or something.

opaqueice · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 May 2007, 07:43 pm »

There is no need for anti-virus software for macs (I'm not sure it even exists). A networked windows machine can't function without it. That tells you all you need to know about their relative security.

I've got two macs (at work and a laptop) and a PC running Windows at home. Until recently my work machine ran Linux, so I've got a fair amount of experience with all three. I don't have any particular bias towards any of them - I just use the one that's easiest and most convenient for what I want to do. For normal desktop usability and functionality, mac wins. For wide selection of software, compatibility, games, etc. windows wins. Linux was better for work until macOS became UNIX based.

Benb · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 May 2007, 08:06 pm »

With regard to the price difference, apple's computers are VERY powerful. Now that they use Intel chips, it is easy to compare.
Go to apple.com and then Dell.com and configure a Dell the same as an apple desktop or laptop. You may be surprised.

SET Man · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 May 2007, 08:53 pm »

Hey!

Well, I see..... finally someone managed to cracked the Mac OS and took home the prize.

As a Mac user I'm not worry at all. Think about it it took them how long? And there were prize set up for this?

You really can't say the same thing with Window can't you. Like... win a prize if you can hack Window Vista? Well, I'm guess have already been done and likely by some some teenage nerd somewhere in his/her bed room.

You know I think Apple do take this seriously. A few days after this thread came up. Apple updated my PowerBook G4 with new QuickTime and a security update. Cool!

I remembered when I was using Window... there were a lots of security updates, it was something like once a week!

Oh! Yes, there are anit-virus softwares for Mac. But somehow we Mac people rarely talk about it.

But most of the time Apple are on top of things and do issue update once in a while. I searched J&R site and found 26 anti-virus programs, two of which are for Mac and the rest are for Window. Interesting isn't it?

http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.process?N=27472&Ne=10000

Anyway, the bottom line is I like Mac. For my works and plays Mac is just much much much better than Window for me. And I'm comfortable and feel more secure with Mac

Take care,
Buddy

Thelonious Monk · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 May 2007, 10:07 pm »

i virus scan all of my porn, does it really matter what operating system i use? macs are retarded and can't play any games, windows has bad memory/cpu management but can actually i dunno do stuff... linux can do everything but will give you the emacs pinky and jesus will hate you for using it. each has its advantages and disadvantages just use whatever..

Thelonious Monk · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 May 2007, 10:10 pm »

Quote from: Benb on 5 May 2007, 08:06 pm

With regard to the price difference, apple's computers are VERY powerful. Now that they use Intel chips, it is easy to compare.
Go to apple.com and then Dell.com and configure a Dell the same as an apple desktop or laptop. You may be surprised.

yes but the difference is there's actually an upgrade path with the dell computer and your cpu isn't soldered onto the mobo. also you can actually upgrade your lcd (cough imac) without spending $123948190841290 (cough mac pro) i will take versatility over ease of use

and dont pull the mac mini card. everyone knows the mac mini is for girls. and you are a man right?

edit: the cpu soldered onto the mobo is mainly an issue with the laptops, the macbook pro in particular. i havent read up on this in a while it may have changed.

edit2: i am posting this message from a mac

JohnR · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 May 2007, 11:50 pm »

Quote from: Thelonious Monk on 5 May 2007, 10:10 pm

and dont pull the mac mini card. everyone knows the mac mini is for girls. and you are a man right?

Why YES, of COURSE i am...!

PhishPhan · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 May 2007, 12:10 am »

I use a mac mini and I'm not a chick. I'm not a computer geek either

; I couldn't give a sh!t about games and what not. I use it to send email, surf the web, write the occasional paper and store some music and pictures. That's it. It works flawlessly too compared to my more expensive dell laptop.

Thelonious Monk · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 May 2007, 12:39 am »

Quote from: PhishPhan on 6 May 2007, 12:10 am

I use a mac mini and I'm not a chick. I'm not a computer geek either ; I couldn't give a sh!t about games and what not. I use it to send email, surf the web, write the occasional paper and store some music and pictures. That's it. It works flawlessly too compared to my more expensive dell laptop.

congrats. macs are perfect if you don't game or use a lot of software synthesizers like me. i was purposefully sarcastic in my post and didn't mean to bash macs if i came off like that.

Double Ugly · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 May 2007, 01:02 am »

Quote from: Thelonious Monk on 5 May 2007, 10:10 pm

yes but the difference is there's actually an upgrade path with the dell computer and your cpu isn't soldered onto the mobo. also you can actually upgrade your lcd (cough imac) without spending $123948190841290 (cough mac pro) i will take versatility over ease of use

and dont pull the mac mini card. everyone knows the mac mini is for girls. and you are a man right?

edit: the cpu soldered onto the mobo is mainly an issue with the laptops, the macbook pro in particular. i havent read up on this in a while it may have changed.

edit2: i am posting this message from a mac

You seem awfully sure of yourself for someone who recently claimed to be a 14-year old.

True or not, do you believe it's conceivable one or more participants in this thread may know more about this topic than you?

-Jim

boead · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 May 2007, 01:03 am »

Quote from: SET Man on 5 May 2007, 08:53 pm

Oh! Yes, there are anit-virus softwares for Mac. But somehow we Mac people rarely talk about it. But most of the time Apple are on top of things and do issue update once in a while. I searched J&R site and found 26 anti-virus programs, two of which are for Mac and the rest are for Window. Interesting isn't it?

Interesting, not really.

http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=2

91.36 % Windows based computers.
6.21 % MacOS and MacIntel
2.38 % Other

For every 1 Mac, there are 15 Windows PC’s

2 products for the Mac, 26 for the PC.

1 year ago (May 2006)
4.19 % MacOS

Intel made the Mac fast (like a PC) and the iPod being extraordinarily popular along with their “cool” stores with the free lemonade, let Apple gain 2.02 %

I’m sure most of us have heard this before. People that write virus’s and spyware are looking to effect the largest numbers of people.

If you like or even LOVE your Mac, that’s fine. Just don’t feed this crap and don’t tell me how superior it is. In the field I work in, it was once dominated by the Apple (not any more) and they crashed just as often as PC's, then factor in how uncooperative they were with business networks – no wonder they lost their majority share.