kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL | reply to ColorBASIC
Re: Lies!
Yes, thanks to a concept us IT and Security folk call security-through-obscurity.
There isn't as much malware targeted at Apple products because the criminals profit more by targeting Windows machines since there are many more of them. |
|
ColorBASIC
8-bit Fun
Premium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA
| said by kapil  :Yes, thanks to a concept us IT and Security folk call security-through-obscurity. There isn't as much malware targeted at Apple products because the criminals profit more by targeting Windows machines since there are many more of them. I believe that is certainly part of it. Part if it is the amount of user intervention required for propagation as was the case with the LEAP-A worm where it required user installation like any other program including providing admin privs. The biggest is that these lab discovered exploits are often quickly patched making propagation impossible.
But the simple fact that OS X users don't face threats from the wild won't stop Windows user FUD about these threats (which was the subject of the OP).
No one denies that exploits exist, only that the exploits are ever exploited in the wild.
--
Macintosh Users Group Serving the Inland Empire |
|
WileEC
mindtaker, macky cat, etc.
join:2002-02-07
Yonkers, NY
 ·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | reply to kapil
Yes, basically what he's saying is that nobody cares about the 300 or so flip flop wearin', hippie mac users. They don't have anything to steal anyway. 
All major corporations run Windows based PCs and/or servers. 99% of households all over the world run MS Windows, including now even on Macs (guess those 300 flip flop wearin hippies can't deal with the complete lack of entertainment software).
So what hacker would bother exploiting less than 1% of total computers worldwide? (for the slow, those be macs).
And however prevalent malware is on Windows, it is also easily completely avoidable if you make some simple changes starting with using a 3rd party browser such as Firefox, using a good hardware router/firewall and avoid opening emails/attachments from senders you don't know (even if you really really really want that v1a.gra). I don't even run anti-virus on my Win XP pc 99% of the time because I don't need to. It's been that way for YEARS and I don't have issues. (oh, and I'm an expert - I rip malware off other's people's PCs, so I know what I'm talkin' bout)
What the Mac people will NEVER understand is that I don't want some pre-packaged overpriced hardware that Steve Jobs signed off on... I prefer to build my own system, from scratch using components of my choice. And its choice that is sorely missing from the Mac camp. Which is ironic considering how they advertised Macs as the answer to "the draconian PC" back in the days.. lol.
The iPhone is just another example of an overpriced, unnecessary device that flocks of the stupid bought into just to have the latest sex substitute they can show off to their other virgin friends who weren't stupid enough to buy one. I mean, a) to wait in line to buy A PHONE and b) to pay 5~6 hundred dollars for that PHONE doesn't exactly make the those who purchased them geniuses.
--
Experience one of the most beautiful women on earth at PetraCentral! |
|
Necronomikro
join:2005-09-01 | I disagree about your statement regarding corporations all using windows pcs and servers. That is not true. A lot of corporations are using linux now, for their servers. And a few are even using it for their workstations. |
|
WileEC
mindtaker, macky cat, etc.
join:2002-02-07
Yonkers, NY
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | dream on... even if a major corp uses unix/linux servers, chances are they are not using unix/linux exclusively. A lot of popular client/server software MUST run from Windows servers, or on Windows PCs, period. And as far as unix/linux workstations/desktops... name one Fortune 1000 company that uses unix/linux workstations/desktops on every desk.
--
Experience one of the most beautiful women on earth at PetraCentral! |
|
Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL
clubs:
 ·Embarq
| reply to WileEC
said by WileEC :Yes, basically what he's saying is that nobody cares about the 300 or so flip flop wearin', hippie mac users. They don't have anything to steal anyway. Great Middle School level troll. I know plenty of people that run Mac and they don't wear flip flops and certainly are not hippies. I on the other hand do wear flip flops, but don't run Mac. Troll again, I mean, try again.
--
"Padre, nobody said war was fun now bowl!" - Sherman T Potter
»www.cafepress.com/maxolasersquad
»maxolasersquad.com/
»maxolasersquad.com/network/ My DSL Network Guide
»myspace.com/mlsquad |
|
Maxo
Your tax dollars at work.
Premium,VIP
join:2002-11-04
Tallahassee, FL
clubs:
·Embarq
| reply to WileEC
said by WileEC :dream on... even if a major corp uses unix/linux servers, chances are they are not using unix/linux exclusively. A lot of popular client/server software MUST run from Windows servers, or on Windows PCs, period. And as far as unix/linux workstations/desktops... name one Fortune 1000 company that uses unix/linux workstations/desktops on every desk. If you don't think businesses take Linux seriously you should read »www.informationweek.com/showArti···20900300
Linux as a mainstream desktop OS for businesses (and in the home) is certainly not something too many are taking seriously. There are some exceptions such as the Ernie Ball company. The two problems I think is the lack of software development for corporate software, and the second being a lack of knowledgeable people in the IT field for using Linux as a desktop OS in a corporate environment. Meanwhile MCSEs are a dime a dozen.
--
"Padre, nobody said war was fun now bowl!" - Sherman T Potter
»www.cafepress.com/maxolasersquad
»maxolasersquad.com/
»maxolasersquad.com/network/ My DSL Network Guide
»myspace.com/mlsquad |
|
WileEC
mindtaker, macky cat, etc.
join:2002-02-07
Yonkers, NY
·Verizon FIOS
| said by Maxo :If you don't think businesses take Linux seriously ... Its not a matter of me not thinking businesses take Linux seriously. I didn't say that or anything remotely similar. In fact, the fortune 100 company I'm with uses Unix and Linux, but at least 90% of its servers are Windows based, and so are 99.99% of its desktops. Like I said, even if a major corp is using unix/linux, chances are its not being used exclusively.
--
Experience one of the most beautiful women on earth at PetraCentral! |
|
BuriedCaesar
It's Not Polite To Stare.
join:2004-03-27
Richardson, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to kapil
said by kapil :Yes, thanks to a concept us IT and Security folk call security-through-obscurity. There isn't as much malware targeted at Apple products because the criminals profit more by targeting Windows machines since there are many more of them. 23+ million estimated installed base for Mac OS X is considered "obscure"? I suppose the converse of this overly-used and simplistic concept is "insecurity-through-ubiquity"? Maybe also known as "job security"?
Or, maybe, are those criminals also profiting perhaps because targeting a Windows machine is just flat easier from a security standpoint?
And, the first person to successfully create something (anything) that will not require some sort of significant user interaction before wreaking even the mildest havoc on a Mac will effectively shake the entire computer universe to its very core. And become immortal in the process. You don't think they're out there trying right now? I don't believe that for a second.
--
That was preposterous! Utter Nonsense! Totally unsupportable drivel! You can't be serious!....Um, what did you say? |
|
ColorBASIC
8-bit Fun
Premium
join:2006-12-29
Corona, CA
| You can't take attackers as a sum. When each individual choice to deploy an exploit is made, they're going to do what will give them the biggest impact. In that sense, Mac OS X population is obscure because it's not big enough to get the desired results.
--
Macintosh Users Group Serving the Inland Empire |
|
bmn
? ? ?
Premium,ExMod 2003-06
join:2001-03-15
hiatus
| reply to kapil
said by kapil :Yes, thanks to a concept us IT and Security folk call security-through-obscurity Uhm, no. That may have been true back in the pre-OS X days, but that isn't the case any more. OS X is basically the same OS that the hackers are using, just with a pretty GUI and some nice apps.
--
Prove it...
Save the Internet Time (NTP) service, use the pool. |
|
BuriedCaesar
It's Not Polite To Stare.
join:2004-03-27
Richardson, TX
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T Yahoo
| reply to ColorBASIC
said by ColorBASIC :Mac OS X population is obscure because it's not big enough to get the desired results. Then why all the hubbub? Why does just about every mainstream news outlet practically fall over themselves any time there is even the slightest hint that the Mac OS might have been compromised in some tiny, insignificant manner, that, to date, hasn't affected even ONE Mac separate and apart from whatever testing environment in which the exploit or flaw or hole or whatever you want to call it was created?
Seems a bit out of proportion.
--
That was preposterous! Utter Nonsense! Totally unsupportable drivel! You can't be serious!....Um, what did you say? |
|
JoeG4
join:2001-12-16
945941
·AT&T DSL Service
 ·Comcast
 ·Clearwire Wireless
 ·Vonage
| Don't like it, don't buy it. Nobody's asking you to.
I've been on the fricken internet for quite a while now, and it seems every time the A word is mentioned, a few things come up:
1. The whole "Macs are just as insecure!" BS.
2. In result, security in obscurity
3. Nothing proven
4. Someone comes along, or a whole slew of "diplomats" that give their unsolicited opinion on why Apple customers are evangelist freaks and how they have macophobia, and then give a long-ass explanation about how Apple stuff isn't for them
5. I come along, and say to the #5s, who cares? I sure don't.
6. I use every OS I can get my hands on, prefer OS X, and don't give a crap otherwise.
7. I don't run anything outside of a firewall on the router as far as protection is concerned, and with our 6 macs (and 4 PCs), there hasn't been an issue with any of them - in the many years we've had all of the above
8. F all of you armchair security experts
9. Anyone who uses the word enterprise in these discussions is a jack***
10. There is no #10. |
|
Yawn
@cgocable.net | I stopped at one. |
|
dda
Premium
join:2003-12-29
Bolton, MA
| reply to WileEC
Re: Lies!
said by WileEC :So what hacker would bother exploiting less than 1% of total computers worldwide? (for the slow, those be macs). Mac sales make up about 5.8% in the US and about 2.3% in the rest of the world.
said by WileEC :What the Mac people will NEVER understand is that I don't want some pre-packaged overpriced hardware that Steve Jobs signed off on... I talked to the other 299 flip-flop wearin' hippies and none of us really care what you want. If you want to build your own PC from components of your choice more power to you; perhaps I'm missing where people are trying to force you to get a Mac or an iPhone. If you don't want to buy a Mac, I strongly suggest not buying one; that seems to keep everyone happy. |
|
macaholic
Premium
join:2003-08-31
Jackson Heights, NY
1 edit | reply to kapil
windows coders put backdoors into their code to make their lives easier regarding coding.... but these little short cuts mean the user is not even aware when something is installed. Even Vista has some of this "legacy" code.
Vista addresses this by popping up a confirm window whenever something runs... (whether its run before or has the checksum). The end result is the user clicks yes all the time without even reading...
MaxOSX requires a user to enter a password whenever a program tries to install an application or if a program is about to change a system setting... its a little more picky. So the enduser knows the program/website is doing something naughty...
very simple.
This is why worms and virii are harder to implement and have much less bang for the buck on Apple hardware.
I use both window and osx... and I can say hands down Mac OSX which is debian unix based has nifty concepts of user permissions and admin user privs. OSX is a much more hardened OS than any version of Windows can hope to be....
Ben
--
"You don't subject minority rights to a referendum." Justice Minister Irwin Cotler of Canada |
|
