Elliott C. Back: Technology FTW!

Macs Don’t Have Viruses?

Posted in Apple, Computers & Technology, Hacking, Mac, Security by Elliott Back on July 3rd, 2006.

When I read about new proof of concept code in OSX that allows arbitrary code execution by manipulating flaws in system files, I sigh, and wonder why the public has the misconception that their Apple Macintosh computers are somehow safer and less prone to malware than PCs. According to an article by the Register, Apple is not focusing enough on the security of their core operating system product:

This is almost certainly the year of the OS X exploit,” said Jay Beale, a senior security consultant for Intelguardians and an expert in hardening Linux and Mac OS X systems. “The OS X platform may be based on a Unix platform, but Apple seems to be making mistakes that Unix made, and corrected, long ago.

Perhaps we should call it OS V, for virus, instead. Then the public would have a symbol to remind them that Apple’s operating system cannot provide perfect security:

mac-os-v-for-virus.jpg

One only has to look at the Secunia OSX vulnerabilities page or Symantec’s OSX threat advisory center to realize that the Apple platform has the same potential for malware as any other. No software is bug-free; yet Apple is trying to foster a reputation that pretends it is:

Historically, Apple has not had very good external communication skills. They have a tremendous marketing team, but the amount of information (as opposed to marketing hype) that comes out of Apple is low.

When a software company would rather hide the flaws in its software until the “next patch” rather than publically own them, there’s a big security problem. When the next 0-day OSX exploit comes out, do you want to know about it, or would you rather pretend it doesn’t exist?

Viewing 19 Comments

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    Everyone knows that there are vulnerabilities in every OS... and most of the time it is teens that make them and what OS do most teens use? Windows... people make viruses for what they work on and if you just happen to get a hacker who uses Macs when he will make a virus for that. The only thing is that there are far less viruses in Mac then in Windows and when was the last time Microsoft released a patch as soon as they found a problem? It usually takes them about 6 months aswell.

    And I'm not sure it is a good thing to advertise the expliots before they are actually fixed... it is good and bad to hide flaws, good so it doesn't get out to people with malicious intents and bad because people may want to fix it quicker themselves.

    But I do agree that apple really should fix these faster then pretending they don't exist atleast Microsoft looks at them and puts one guy on the project for an hour a week.
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    There are no current viruses for the Mac OSX. There is no program that will try to replicate itself and send itself to other platforms, that can bypass the security. If a user is willing to run a program and enter his password, it does not mean he has been infected by a computer, but instead that he is a moron.... which does not justify saying that there are viruses for the Mac.
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    ur an idiot. its not a virus, if u actually looked into this u would know

    dumbass
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    So then why aren't virus writers creating viruses for the Mac? It's getting popular day by day?
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    quote"When I read about new proof of concept code in OSX that allows arbitrary code execution by manipulating flaws in system files, I sigh, and wonder why the public has the misconception that their Apple Macintosh computers are somehow safer and less prone to malware than PCs."

    You should try to actually learn something about computer science before you publish FUD like this.
    How much is MS paying you anyway?
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    http://www.apple.com/getamac/viruses.html

    dude. apple arent sayin its flawless. the intro to the website above even says that "no computer will be 100% immune to attack".

    they're sayin osx is based on existing open unix software, which is tight. if a user is dumb enough to give a password to a downloaded program its their fault, but at least they were smart enough to get a mac

    at least apple publishes a finished produce which doesnt require 70 patches after you open the box. which, by the way, while you're happily spending hours on end downloading you're exposed to attack.

    what was that mac os v dribble? you just into propaganda or were you actually after some cred? if you spent more time learning about what you were talking about instead of making that silly little logo you might have actually had something decent to read. you're only fooling the people who arent smart enough to move away from windows anyway.

    heres a brain buster for ya. why are organasiations with high security needs like universitys moving away from windows and using linux and unix systems?

    do some f***ing research, dipsh*t
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    Every system has exploitable features. Every system has a 'back door'. However, how easy it is to exploit is an entirely different story. Windows is indeed far more vulnerable then OSX, but the misconception that Macs cant get viruses is rather annoying. It can and it has, however the question of if it will is a hard one to answer.

    From what i've seen on Macs, to get a virus you'd have to download something in some form rather then just all of a sudden having it downloaded without your knowledge like through windows. This is not a statement that you cant get a virus without downloading, this is just my experience.

    Now sure, it can be the users fault for downloading and/or installing the program, but some are very nicely disguised. That's what it's really about these days, how well you can keep the real content hidden.

    Enough said, both systems have their exploits in their own ways. Nothing is invulnerable.
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    Your ignoring the fact that macs truly ARE more functional and faster than the highest end windows computers. The Mac Pro has 8 operating chips, compared to windows 1 or 2, thats like comparing a team of 8 workers to one. You ignore the fact that i have a Ibook a Macbook and a Mac Mini, on my mac mini i have mac os x 10.2, and no system patches. It does not have one virus and it works better than the day i bought it 2 years ago. I download things all the time, and never have a problem. But what you are completely oblivious of is the pure style and sexiness if apple computers, in which is the most advanced and function able operating system yet. You should be published.
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    I've used Macs 17 years. Lots of models running System 7 to OSX.

    I've been on the web all that time, downloading stuff.

    never had one problem with a virus. :)

    Can pc users say that? ;)

    Windows shipped with open ports and other flaws for years that just were not an issue on the Mac.

    Apple has been pretty smart and proactive in security I like to think...
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    bght a mac for my self and a pc for my father at the same time about a year ago

    Mac - no antivirus - no problems.

    PC - reinstalled software 2x in the first month. Had to bring it back for a probelem with its RAM. After that was fixed, had to reinstall all software a 3rd time. Installed antivrus. There have been 448 malware/virus attacks to date, stopped by the antivirus software thankfully. But who needs the headache??????
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    Macs never get viruses. It is very unlikely that Mac OS's get any sort of infection due to it being built on the Unix Kernal. Most virus writers use software made for Windows and alot of virus writers use Linux-based systems for writing viruses, so why would they write a virus for their own platform?
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    I have run PCs- windows platforms, since i was 6 years old, always on the Internet- i have been downloading programs off of P2P networks and off of all sites, 98,2000,XP: home (2X), XP:Pro, Vista: premium.
    I have NEVER had anything go wrong with any of my 5 systems in that time, and never had a "Virus". This isn't because i shed out stupid sums of money on a annual basis to get protection for the pros, it's because I look at things properly before I download them and know what shouldn't be running under system processes. Viruses are the product of poor judgment and incorrect computer usage. So i do NOT support that MAC's are immune from viruses along with all platforms, any more so than windows based packages- windows packages are more widely used than others, also easier for beginners, this is why there are problems with security- whereas linux and MAC are more commonly used off the internet performing non-leisure based tasks. Do the maths
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    Matt r u kidding!! Windows is much harder to learn than Leopard!! I work at best buy and I sell both PC and Mac. The people I always see come back in are the people I sold a PC to. Even our ASUS Gaming Laptop and FX gatways people have to either getting it REPAIRED!!! or wanting training on Windows Vista. People that I see come back for the Macs are either getting another Mac, AppleTV, Time Capsule, or Wireless Keyboard or Mouse. I ask them if they have any problems and 100% of the time they see NO!! and They will not be going back to PC. So i dont no were you seeing where Windows is eaiser to learn but your wrong in a huge way. Also if you has ANY problems apples website has over 100+ troubleshooting VIDEOS!!! Windows doesnt has any!! and if they do there in PDF format so.
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    this article is completely retarded. i have never had a virus on a mac ever and i download all day every day my netscape pc has had several viruses..to the point where i gave it away because i was sick of loading os and seeing the blue screen when my virus scan failed me... this article is retarded..if microsoft wsn't so greedy they would have a better product but they are hellbent on making it impossible to run windows without there browser installed which the virus attach to and cant be erased because of this horrible flaw
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    Macs are less prone to viruses, because mac has a firewall
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    Heavens,

    I have a Mac Book. With Mac OSX and I have never, ever had a problem with viruses. Neither has anyone I know that has Mac OSX. Most people who get viruses are those who know nothing of Macs or Computers and are not careful.

    Of course it's most likely you're going to get a virus if you click on the computer advertisements that say "you're going to win ........".

    Hence, Be Careful with you Mac Software and you'll most definitely be fine.
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    I, along w/my brother, have been using a Mac for 8 years. I am a freelance journalist and am online 7-8 hours/day. I have never had a virus. Ever.

    In fact, the Macbook I use now has had exactly 6 pop-up ads in 17 months. I see PCs have 6 pop-ups in 17 seconds.

    I'm convinced MS receives millions/billions in kick backs from the anti-spyware/anti-virus companies. That is why PCs are constantly infected and Macs aren't.
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    I've never heard of a Mac getting a virus. I love my Mac! Have had it for 6 years without a hitch. Was a PC owner for 10 years prior to my Powerbook and that was a nightmare in terms of virus scanning and general issues. Wouldn't change back for anything.
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    I am a EE and CS. Ive programmed on PCs for over 20 years, and MACs for a few years. Anyone who is ignorant with computers can get a virus, and most of the time it is Windows users. But, Apple shouldn't have their guards down, as I have seen problems on Mac’s increasing over the years.
    Back to which OS is better? Well, both are good. I like the simplicity of Mac, and yet also hate how they are so simple. I almost always need to go to the kernel and manipulate what I want to do for complex situations.
    I like the many programs that windows platform offers, and the many programming environments that are developed. But anyone who doesn't have antivirus software on Windows is an idiot.
    In 20 years, I have gotten the Blue SOD 7 times on windows. Over 3 years, I have got the Black SOD once on a Mac.
    Mac’s look nice, but are way too expensive. PC’s are relatively cheap, and I can upgrade a PC’s hardware a whole lot easier than a Mac.
    Both OS are good in their own way, it all just depends on your budget, and application. I guess you pay for what you get.
 

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