quote:It took a hacker less than 30 minutes to gain root-level access to Mac OS X, according to a report from ZDNet. The hacker who penetrated the system called the Mac "easy pickings."
posted
It's kind of interesting that all of these reports involve a spokesman for Symantec. I often wonder if these security software companies don't have something to do with all the bugs floating around. It's definitely good for business.
-------------------- Eric Barker Rosewood Design LaGrande,Oregon Posts: 107 | From: La Grande, OR | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Eric Barker: It's kind of interesting that all of these reports involve a spokesman for Symantec. I often wonder if these security software companies don't have something to do with all the bugs floating around. It's definitely good for business.
Hmm.. ya think?
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Blah blah blah. . . . A little more info on this "hack". By SteveJack
Viruses that aren't viruses. Hysterical reports that equate Mac OS X security to Windows. Media reports about Mac OS X "worms, trojans, and viruses." Totally unsubstantiated reports that Mac OS X can be "hacked in under 30-minutes" (the lack of proof screams for attention). Which, of course, is the headline that's blared.
Why all of this noise about Mac OS X and "security issues" lately? I'll tell you why: Microsoft and their parasites are getting nervous. Market share is increasing for Apple Macintosh. The Windows platform means billions of dollars to Microsoft and companies built and run around Windows' deficiencies. Throw in antivirus purveyors now threatened by Microsoft's slimy entry into the market (it's beyond belief to Mac users that Mafiasoft will now charge suckers $50 per year to "protect" their own product) that are looking for a new market and you have more than enough reasons for the spate of articles questioning Mac OS X security.
Many people are worried. And rightly so. What if a large portion of people switch to Mac from Windows? What happens to the mom and pop operations that depend on selling boxes that run Windows and that have no experience with Macs? What happens to the antivirus companies that depend on the Windows security mess? How will they sell their wares to Mac OS X users? What happens to Microsoft's Windows profits? What happens to software makers that make Windows-only software? The list goes on forever; there's a whole economy based on fixing and supporting Windows.
Munir Kotadia's latest for ZDNet is just another in a string of FUD pieces (see related articles below) designed to introduce doubt about the Mac in Joe and Jane Sixpack. Gotta keep 'em in the fold; by whatever means possible, it seems. Big bucks is involved here. (In all fairness, Kotadia has written at least one pro-Mac security piece, too.)
People are switching to Mac from Windows. Apple's Mac market share increased over a percentage point in the last year alone, according to Gartner and IDC. That is why Mac OS X's security is being attacked in dubious articles (weakly, but attacked nonetheless). In fact, over a year ago, I warned about Mac backlash from those interested in protecting their Windows turf. Such backlash will get worse before it gets better. These people and companies aren't about to let facts get in the way of continuing to fill their pockets with Windows-related profits.
Ultimately, these articles mean good things for Apple. It shows that the Mac is gaining and it's making a lot of people who depend on keeping the masses stuck on Windows very, very nervous.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section. Full article with links to previous comments here: http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments_opinion/8795/
[ March 07, 2006, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: Bill Modzel ]
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
But Bill....the article you post is written by a Mac officionado...you think there might be some bias there?
He touts the "mac takeover" by saying, "Apple's Mac market share increased over a percentage point last year alone...."
Wow! So in 50 years they might have half the market? Probably not, but who knows? In any event...it's not as significant as if they suddenly grabbed an additional 5% or more...
I think the article I posted was interesting in that a reliable source has demonstrated that both platforms are equally, and easily penetrated by people who like doing such things.
According to the article, which to me seems very unbiased in that they explore and compare both OS's vulnerabilities - the MAC OS's main protection - if you want to label it so - is that there are so fewer people that use it that it's not as attractive a target as Windows. And I would have to agree.
All this said....I cannot knock the Mac - good system with a pretty good track record. Still on the fence about which way to go for my next purchase....
My main point for posting this article was for everyone's education....and to note that it is always good to know what you're dealing with and how to better protect yourself no matter what system you work with. They give some advice for mac users....such as is the same with windows users - antivirus software, anti-spyware software, etc....just in case. You may never need it, but if you do you'll be glad you protected yourself.
Edited for spelling: Why do I keep spelling "article" - "arti-cal".....?
posted
There is nothing magic about the Mac. It is a UNIX-based (BSD) operating system. UNIX is not immune to attack. In fact, security holes are found all the time. The good thing about the UNIX community is the holes are usually patched quickly. Security holes are not created by security companies. The are found by brainy people and then exploits are created later. Usually the people finding the holes just want to make programmers aware of them so they can patch them.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Todd Gill: [QB] But Bill....the article you post is written by a Mac officionado...you think there might be some bias there?
OK Todd, here's the real situation, just the facts:
In response to the woefully misleading ZDnet article, Mac OS X hacked under 30 minutes, by Munir Kotadia (munir.kotadia@zdnet.com.au) the academic Mac OS X Security Challenge was launched yesterday morning by The University of Wisconsin's Dave Schroeder. The ZDNet FUD piece failed to mention that local access was granted to the Mac OS X system and left some readers with the false impression that any Mac OS X machine connected to the Internet can be taken over in just 30 minutes. As Schroeder notes, the Mac OS X "machine was not hacked from the outside just by being on the Internet. It was hacked from within, by someone who was allowed to have a local account on the box. That is a huge distinction."
So, with a real Mac OS X challenge sitting online, 30 minutes came and went, folks. Long ago. The Mac OS X remains "unhacked" more than 24 hours later.
Well, the clocks still ticking and I guarantee if it actually happens it will be news BIG TIME. Than you can gloat.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for clarifying that....No gloating here though....any hacking, viruses, etc are criminal in my opinion and should be prosecuted - no matter the system - if the perpetrators are found.
I just saw the article on Yahoo news and thought it was worth sharing with the Mac users....especially in light of the general confidence most mac users have in their systems invulnerability to such attacks.
Wouldn't it be nice if all OS's got to a point where they were soooo secure that attacks were few and far between?
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Todd Gill: Wouldn't it be nice if all OS's got to a point where they were soooo secure that attacks were few and far between?
I've been online for 9 years, without any type of ant virus, etc. Still waiting for that first attack. In my book, that's about as few and far between as it gets.
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