Here’s to MAC Security

This was another “Eaten” Post. I’m adding it back because I find it is still relevant information in the whole MAC vs PC debate going on these days. The information below is slightly dated but, it really hasn’t changed much in the past year. Problems still exist on BOTH sides. (Although the MAC guys would lead you to believe otherwise.)

Well, we always hear of the Apple Macintosh’s superior OS security… How they never get viruses; never lock-up, No “Holes” in their OS etc.. And, now that they have changed to the Intel Processor we are seeing Television ADs with two guys portraying and PC and a MAC… One time the PC guys has a “Cold”.. the next time he “locks-up”. All the while the MAC guy talking about how “HE” nevers has any of that trouble…

Well, you will be interested to see the bit of news posted May 11th…

Apple Computer’s security update train rumbled into the station late May 11 with fixes for a whopping 43 Mac OS X and QuickTime vulnerabilities.

The company’s Security Update 2006-003 patches 31 flaws in the Mac OS X, most of them serious enough to cause “arbitrary code execution attacks.”

Apple also shipped QuickTime 7.1 as a major security overhaul to correct 12 code execution and denial-of-service flaws.

The Mac OS X mega update includes patches for Apple’s flagship Safari browser and Mail client.

According to the advisory, the Safari fix covers a flaw that could allow file manipulation or code execution if a user is lured to a maliciously rigged Web site.

In Mail, Apple said the bug could allow harmful code execution if a user is tricked into viewing a malicious e-mail message.

Sounds just like every windows update you’ve every read, right? I predict Apple is emerging into the virus “Lime-light”.. Their time is coming! This is not the first announcement of this type for sure.. To read more on other MAC flaws, read these articles:

1. Mac OS X Patch Day: 40 security flaws fixed
2. Samba security flaw affects Mac OS X
3. Mac OS X Users are screwed by the old Java security flaw.
4. Apple patches 25 security flaws in OS X
5. Ancient flaws leave OS X vulnerable?

So you can see from the articles above, the MAC is not as secure and trouble free as those commercials would lead you to believe.

© 2009, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.