mac question

[SHANEFROMGA]

okay, i'll admit that i'm a idiot when it cimes to macs. i have a question about them. how do macs not get viruses ? i've had nothing but pcs and i've heard that macs are better for many different reasons. but why are they impervious to the ole bugs? inform a brother.

[GregoryJoseph]

okay, i'll admit that i'm a idiot when it cimes to macs. i have a question about them. how do macs not get viruses ? i've had nothing but pcs and i've heard that macs are better for many different reasons. but why are they impervious to the ole bugs? inform a brother.

The main reason is that the majority of computer owners have Windows systems, so the scumbags who create these viruses write them for that format.

Macs account for only roughly 8% of all computers.

They're also much better security-wise than PCs, thus making them less susceptible.

[furie]

they're not impervious, but for the reasons greg mentioned, they're not targeted.
I've heard it also has to so with OSX being based on UNIX which is not know for virus problems.


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[instrument]

if you wanted to infect the most people with the least effort would you target macs?

just doesn't make much sense.

also internet explorer is so tied into windows it makes infecting a computer a bit easier.

but honestly safari is the worst, i think it was recently hacked in under 5 minutes, sure the guy composed the hack beforehand, but thats still embarrassing.

[furie]

if you wanted to infect the most people with the least effort would you target macs?

just doesn't make much sense.

also internet explorer is so tied into windows it makes infecting a computer a bit easier.

but honestly safari is the worst, i think it was recently hacked in under 5 minutes, sure the guy composed the hack beforehand, but thats still embarrassing.


fortunately, no one uses safari

[boosterp]

they're not impervious, but for the reasons greg mentioned, they're not targeted.
I've heard it also has to so with OSX being based on UNIX which is not know for virus problems.


UNIXIs no stronger than a LINUX kernal or Windows Kernal, just not as common. OSX does get targeted but due to percentages and the way Apple operates (very closed group) you do not hear it as much in the news.

It's sheer numbers, MS hate, and luck that has to do with MS getting attacked more.

[SatCam]

It's much easier to target an internet explorer or windows media player exploit than to try to figure out an exploit in Mac software, then hope that the people who get the virus use a mac. Basically it's a numbers game.... most viruses are out there to harvest your information or use your computer as a bot.... if you were a hacker, would you choose the exploit on the os that has 90% market share or the os with 8% market share?

That's not to say that a mac isn't necessarily "safer" to use, but you can make windows just as secure by using virus scanners, firewalls, securing your browser, etc. it's unfortunate that, atleast in the past, microsoft made software that had a lot of security holes. it wasnt until the past few years that they realized they needed to step it up and lock down the systems because the everyday user has no clue how to keep themselves safe, and their operating systems were getting a bad rap because of it (altho ritefully so....)

[Dudeman]

I think my Mac has a virus- it is becoming fucking slow. :wallbash: Anyone know how to get rid of it???

[KnoxHarrington]

I think my Mac has a virus- it is becoming fucking slow. :wallbash: Anyone know how to get rid of it???

I doubt it's actually a virus. Might be some problems with the file system. Try booting the system off the install disk, but, instead of letting the installer actually run, go to the Utilities menu and run Disk Utility. Then run Repair Disk and Repair Disk Permissions. See if that helps.

Also, go into your user account settings in User Preferences and clear out startup items. Maybe one of those is fucking something up.

[Doctor Z]

Macs account for only roughly 8% of all computers.
I'm too lazy to actually research it, but I feel like there's no way that number is still accurate.

[Dudeman]

I doubt it's actually a virus. Might be some problems with the file system. Try booting the system off the install disk, but, instead of letting the installer actually run, go to the Utilities menu and run Disk Utility. Then run Repair Disk and Repair Disk Permissions. See if that helps.

Also, go into your user account settings in User Preferences and clear out startup items. Maybe one of those is fucking something up.

Thanks! I'll give it a try (hopefully I can find the install disk since moving)

[biggestmexi]

:tongue:
They're also much better security-wise than PCs, thus making them less susceptible.

how so?

[JustJon]

I'm too lazy to actually research it, but I feel like there's no way that number is still accurate.

The 8% stat is from last year (couldn't find this year's), but that's an overall market. 25% of the consumer market and 40% of college students have bought them. Businesses are slowing the penetration, but it's expected to continue to rise.

[furie]

I think my Mac has a virus- it is becoming fucking slow. :wallbash: Anyone know how to get rid of it???

try onyX. it's a free utility that cleans up your computer, helps with speed sometimes

[Bob Impact]

The 8% stat is from last year (couldn't find this year's), but that's an overall market. 25% of the consumer market and 40% of college students have bought them. Businesses are slowing the penetration, but it's expected to continue to rise.

Mac's driver for business will be from the server end, you need Macs to write iPhone apps, and many companies are moving towards iPhones as their userbase demands it. That said they've got a LONG way to go to catch Windows (Hint, they never will).

http://successfulsoftware.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/macosx_vs_windows_market_share_2007_2008.png

Source(Not sure how reliable they are): http://successfulsoftware.net/2009/01/09/macosx-market-share

Also, Mac's have literally almost exactly as many holes as Linux or Windows. Secunia (http://www.secunia.com/)is a pretty good resource for tracking vulnerabilities across all platforms.

[Bob Impact]

Also, and this is just a hunch, I'm guessing that now that Apple is actively and loudly advertising that they have less Viruses than PCs you'll see an upswing in activity around Mac vulnerabilities. Mac has basically gotten by on the "security by obscurity" concept historically, Script kiddies don't like when you start to make it sound like they CAN'T break your product, so they WILL break your product.

I got $10 bucks on a major Slammer style worm that is either cross platform or Mac specific within 2 years.

[Dudeman]

try onyX. it's a free utility that cleans up your computer, helps with speed sometimes

that's for 10.5. i have 10.4.11. thanks though

[Space Edge]

Hackers pay 43 cents per hijacked Mac
(http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138517/Hackers_pay_43_cents_per_hijacked_Mac?source=rss_n ews)

[furie]

43 cents!
nice bounty on our heads considering pc viruses are being turned out in bucket loads for free

ah well, all good things must come to an end.