Is Mac OS X really safer from virus attacks?

DrQuincy · DrQuincy #31 (**permalink**)

12-11-2006, 05:02 AM

mac57 has hit the nail on the head. I've run Linux distros that have the UNIX kernel for ages without firewall or anti-spyware and never had a problem. While it's not impossible to get a virus it is improbable. If youvre got your system set up properly a virus can't do any damage without your permission. If you're running XP and you're an administrator of it it's like being logged in as the root user on Linux / UNIX (which you can't do*).

* well, it can be done but it's very hard and not advisable to do so

BuzWeaver · BuzWeaver #32 (**permalink**)

12-13-2006, 10:29 PM

Microsoft just has a lot more enemies than Apple, so to speak.

kfdan · kfdan #33 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 08:13 PM

Been using ClamXav for a while. It's free and works well so far!

baggss · baggss #34 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 08:24 PM

Well, then this should be interesting:

The Month of Apple Bugs...

deus_ex_machina · deus_ex_machina #35 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 08:47 PM

OSX is safe as long as they have minimal market share

BuzWeaver · BuzWeaver #36 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baggss

Well, then this should be interesting:

The Month of Apple Bugs...

Its possible.

Ice Cream Man · Ice Cream Man #37 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deus_ex_machina

OSX is safe as long as they have minimal market share

That's so ridiculous. That's as silly as the people who claim that the OS hasn't been around long enough to experience those problems. Despite the fact that it's unix-bassed. and unix has been around longer than windows, and has already been thru what they are going thru now. Which is a major part of why it's so secure now.

mr g5 · mr g5 #38 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 10:34 PM

what should I do to keep to mac safe? I have the firewall on.

I am set as an admin is this right?

Should I have a password?

NanoBite · NanoBite #39 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr g5

what should I do to keep to mac safe? I have the firewall on. I am set as an admin is this right? Should I have a password?

These are some articles which are helpful:

http://www.macgeekery.com/tips/secur..._os_x_security

http://www.macworld.com/2005/02/feat...tips/index.php

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?...60308081610672

deus_ex_machina · deus_ex_machina #40 (**permalink**)

12-19-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice Cream Man

That's so ridiculous. That's as silly as the people who claim that the OS hasn't been around long enough to experience those problems. Despite the fact that it's unix-bassed. and unix has been around longer than windows, and has already been thru what they are going thru now. Which is a major part of why it's so secure now.

My comment was really meant to be facetious. The system is tried and true but not infallible. Part of its security is that it doesn't allow root access out of the box. The admin still requires passwords to complete important tasks. Most vulnerabilities come from user error. And as for market share, being in the 5% leaves you more time to develop groundbreaking software rather than defending the endless barrage of malware and security issues that has plagued Windows for so long.

Nice sig BTW

DrQuincy #31 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 10, 2006 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 297 Mac Specs: 17" Core Duo Macbook Pro	12-11-2006, 05:02 AM mac57 has hit the nail on the head. I've run Linux distros that have the UNIX kernel for ages without firewall or anti-spyware and never had a problem. While it's not impossible to get a virus it is improbable. If youvre got your system set up properly a virus can't do any damage without your permission. If you're running XP and you're an administrator of it it's like being logged in as the root user on Linux / UNIX (which you can't do). well, it can be done but it's very hard and not advisable to do so Leeds Web Design \| Web Design Leeds \| Blog
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deus_ex_machina #35 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 06, 2004 Location: Tejas Posts: 1,720 Mac Specs: 2GHz Mac Mini 2GB RAM 160GB 10.6.2 \| MDD DP 1.25GHz G4 1.5GB RAM 10.4.11 \| 233MHz iMac G3 10.3.9	12-19-2006, 08:47 PM OSX is safe as long as they have minimal market share EOF website portfolio
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mr g5 #38 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 534 Mac Specs: Mac Pro 2.66GHz Quad, 1GB RAM	12-19-2006, 10:34 PM what should I do to keep to mac safe? I have the firewall on. I am set as an admin is this right? Should I have a password? Join the Mac-forums folding team By Clicking Here
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BuzWeaver #32 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 03, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 105	12-13-2006, 10:29 PM Microsoft just has a lot more enemies than Apple, so to speak.
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baggss #34 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 10, 2004 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 10,306 Mac Specs: 27" 3.4 Ghz i7 iMac-13" C2D Macbook-OSX 18.8.2-64Gb iPad 2-32 Gb iPhone 5-ATV 2-14Tb of Storage	12-19-2006, 08:24 PM Well, then this should be interesting: The Month of Apple Bugs...
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