Study finds sharp rise in Mac OS X flaws

[Nomad559]

Study finds sharp rise in Mac OS X flaws

Just because you use a Mac, don't think you're any more secure than a Wintel user.

A sharp increase in the number of flaws discovered in Mac OS X suggests that the operating system from Apple Computer Inc. may soon be every bit as prone to malicious attacks as Windows, according to a report released last week by the SANS Institute, a Bethesda, Md.-based security training and research firm.

Mac OS X is still safer than Windows because its smaller installed base makes it a less attractive target for hackers. But the number of flaws discovered in OS X is leaving its reputation as a secure alternative to Windows "in tatters," according to the SANS semiannual update to its list of top Internet vulnerabilities.

"Users often feel invincible when they have their shiny silver-colored Apple and they are surfing the Web with it," said Ed Skodis, a director at SANS. But that may be a mistake, because "there's a significant amount of research going on for security vulnerabilities in the Mac OS," he noted.

[realisticphish]

1. wow that's not biased at all

"Users often feel invincible when they have their shiny silver-colored apple" :eyes:

[Ezlivin]

2. Ever since Apple switched to Intel and got Boot Camp running

we've been seeing this.

Who's running scared?

There is only one group of people that will be affected by this "news": those that are considering a switch to OS X. For those already running it, they know this sort of news falls into the same category as "Apple will be bankrupt in six months" stories that have circulated since 1985.

[TommyO]

6. Not a problem here

PowerMac G5 - no intel, no MS on my Mac.

[Elwood P Dowd]

3. Did KKKarl Rove and the Swiftboaters go to work for Microsoft?

:grr:

[Downtown Hound]

4. Hahahahahahaha...

When I actually see one of these viruses pop up on the Mac, I may give at least 5 seconds of credence to the people that keep saying this. But since they've been saying that viruses on on their way to the mac for years now and it hasn't happened, I won't hold my breath.

Even if and when a virus appears, it will still have several hundred thousand to go before it reaches the level of Windows.

[TommyO]

5. This compares to how many Windows exploits

Hundreds? Thousands? I use both a PowerMac and a Windows box - which one am I more paranoid about protecting? The Windows box.

[stepnw1f]

7. Oh Brotherrrr.......Microsucks is Desperate

Jesus... fix your own OS instead of smear attacking Apple so much.