Safety of OS X Thread poster: 2nl (X)
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2nl (X) 
Netherlands
Local time: 01:55
Following a study of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Java and Windows are both safer than OS X:
Fig. 2: Critical vulnerabilities
For usability reasons I'm running Windows as a guest in OS X as a host. For security reasons I'd probably better do this the other way around  .
[Edited at 2015-11-21 08:31 GMT]
| | | | Dan Lucas
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2014)
Japanese to English
| <sharp intake of breath> | Nov 21, 2015 |
2nl wrote: For usability reasons I'm running Windows as a guest in OS X as a host. For security reasons I'd probably better do this the other way around
Oooh, that's interesting but you're going to get in trouble with the "Apple devices don't need anti-virus software" crowd!
Dan
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2008)
Italian to English
| Laughing here | Nov 21, 2015 |
I switched from DOS to the Mac OS in 1995. I've never used any kind of add-on virus protection and I've never, ever, had any kind of virus. That's 20 years and no virusses. I rest my case.
[Edited at 2015-11-21 10:51 GMT]
| | | | 2nl (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 01:55
TOPIC STARTER | One size fits all? | Nov 21, 2015 |
Tom in London wrote:
I switched from DOS to the Mac OS in 1995. I've never used any kind of add-on virus protection and I've never, ever, had any kind of virus. That's 20 years and no virusses. I rest my case.
I understand that, Tom, and as a matter of fact, during the same period I haven't had any viruses on Windows either.
However, the actual question is: Would you advise other users of OS X to install antivirus software?
See Tom’s Guide.
Personally I'm using ClamXav.
[Edited at 2015-11-21 11:23 GMT]
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Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
| a new wave of viruses set to hit the Mac OS? | Nov 21, 2015 |
I expect the number of viruses targeting the Mac operating system to only increase as Apple continues to conquer the world, so if I were on a Mac, I would probably start looking into AV software right now. In fact, since Mac users are not yet used to having to have such software installed, they might actually be at a greater risk than your average Windows user currently.
Virus makers don't target Windows because Windows is evil and Macs are great, but based on market share and who t... See more I expect the number of viruses targeting the Mac operating system to only increase as Apple continues to conquer the world, so if I were on a Mac, I would probably start looking into AV software right now. In fact, since Mac users are not yet used to having to have such software installed, they might actually be at a greater risk than your average Windows user currently.
Virus makers don't target Windows because Windows is evil and Macs are great, but based on market share and who they think are vulnerable. As these things change, so will viruses and malware. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2008)
Italian to English
2nl wrote:
Would you advise other users of OS X to install antivirus software?
No. After 20 years and no virusses, I know I don't need antivirus software. And there is not a new, nor indeed an old, wave of viruses set to hit the Mac OS. I suggest we all go away now and talk about something more interesting.
[Edited at 2015-11-21 16:48 GMT]
| | | | Michael Beijer
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:55
Member (2009)
Dutch to English
+ ...
Tom in London wrote: 2nl wrote:
Would you advise other users of OS X to install antivirus software?
No. After 20 years and no virusses, I know I don't need antivirus software. And there is not a new, nor indeed an old, wave of viruses set to hit the Mac OS. I suggest we all go away now and talk about something more interesting. [Edited at 2015-11-21 16:48 GMT]
I always wonder where you get all your expert knowledge of the Mac operating system and Apple as a company from, Tom. Could it perhaps be that you are a tad too trusting? Anyway, you're right about one thing: talking about how great Apple is is indeed quite boring and there is nothing more futile than trying to force an Apple fan to see reality, so I am off to water my cactus.
PS: don't open any odd looking emails in Apple Mail
| | | | | Not impossible, just a lot less likely | Nov 21, 2015 |
Although this article dates back to February of this year, I think it makes some good observations.
"Despite what some people may say, there’s nothing inherent in how OS X is built that makes it much more resistant to viruses or malware. And for those who still aren’t convinced, back in 2010 and 2011, Apple users faced the OS X Pinhead and BlackHole RAT trojan viruses that infected thousands of computers. More recently, there was the Mac Flashback trojan. It’s pretty well docu... See more Although this article dates back to February of this year, I think it makes some good observations.
"Despite what some people may say, there’s nothing inherent in how OS X is built that makes it much more resistant to viruses or malware. And for those who still aren’t convinced, back in 2010 and 2011, Apple users faced the OS X Pinhead and BlackHole RAT trojan viruses that infected thousands of computers. More recently, there was the Mac Flashback trojan. It’s pretty well documented that Macs can, and do, get viruses.
With that being said, how can I then claim they’re safer? Well, despite these specific examples, there are far more viruses and malware that target Windows machines than any other system. Despite what you might think based on the ever-growing popularity of Apple, 90% of the world's computers still run Windows.
If you were a hacker, and were creating a virus or malware to target as many machines as possible and cause widespread attacks, you would focus your efforts on what will create the greatest return. If you’re looking to cause the most damage, and increase your chances of success, you’re going to target the most common computer system. Essentially, Macs are safer because statistically you’re less likely to be infected due to the lower number of viruses built to infect OS X."
http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/opinions/macs-are-safer-than-pcs-right/ ▲ Collapse
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| | DZiW (X)
Ukraine
English to Russian
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I guess the study is about so-called 'default' settings, when the OS is just out of the box.
The point is, MS initially gave Admin/root (at least prior UAC) and used "what is not explicitly forbidden is allowed" approach, whereas Mac used "what is not explicitly allowed is forbidden".
Actually, it does really matter, yet even greater impact has the infamous 'human factor', when everything depends on the user's knowledge and habits, let alone social engineering an... See more I guess the study is about so-called 'default' settings, when the OS is just out of the box.
The point is, MS initially gave Admin/root (at least prior UAC) and used "what is not explicitly forbidden is allowed" approach, whereas Mac used "what is not explicitly allowed is forbidden".
Actually, it does really matter, yet even greater impact has the infamous 'human factor', when everything depends on the user's knowledge and habits, let alone social engineering and other users.
Having said that, it's quite possible to have even Win XP with no AV/protection, which would work perfectly fine, providing it was configured properly. And the opposite is possible--a modern updated OS with a comprehensive security may be compromised and infested.
However, for a common user I would still recommend some AV whatever OS he's using; as for me, I prefer Comodo for Mac, Android and Win.
[Edited at 2015-11-22 14:12 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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