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[wgerrard]

Why are people who use macs clueless? We don't "Think" we're safe, we simply are.

Yeah! What Chris said! 🙂

I used Windows through XP, and then spent a decade or so with Linux on my desktop. Once upon a time I was a certified Microsoft network techie, until my head cleared. I've written code, built servers and websites, and supervised people who did the same.

But, I use Macs because I got tired, very tired, of Windows and Linux forcing me to install tweaks, workarounds and fixes just to get routine work done. Windows needed it to keep the bad guys away. Linux needed it get the frickin' hardware to work like it should.

As Chris said, Macs just work. Sure, you can screw things up. It's BSD Unix, after all. You can open a terminal window and wreak havoc. But, I don't need to beat on it to keep the bad guys away, and all I need to do to get hardware to work is plug it in.

Now, I'm not attacking anyone who likes Windows or Linux. We all have our reasons and our priorities.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'm still running IE6 and never had any anti-virus software installed.

Some people just like to live dangerously.

 

[percepts]

Some people just like to live dangerously.

I guess that's why they buy into the virus paranoia.

 

[bgb]

THANKS FOR THE WARNING 🙂 🙂 🙂

Best i get a Mac then ... and soon!



Do you think anyone at Microsoft really cares

 

[larmarv916]

Thanks for the "Heads UP"! We Apple users have an inquiry in related to latest related issues those of us running the most recent "Tiger" ......Laurance

 

[underbyte]

Yes, yes, I must be clueless because I use a mac and think that I'm safe. But... Let's see... Since going online in 1993 with my 2nd mac, I have used and owned several macs, both at work and at home. They all still work, I've never had to have one serviced for a problem I couldn't figure out. I've never had a virus, and I've enjoyed endless hours of computing without having a nanny operating system asking me if I want to do something. I've never had to use a "wizard" to complete a mundane task. On the other hand, every machine with Windows that I have had the pleasure of using has had to have virus removal done.

If I'm clueless, cool for me. The lack of attacks is surely a combination of better software, and the fact that it makes little sense to design malware for 3% of the market. Even so, everything is easier on a mac. It just is.

 

[Jamie123]

First let me say that my next laptop will be a Mac and I quite like the OS.

That being said, in my experience Macs are not the problemfree fountains of joy everyone likes to make them out to be. Despite the widespread myth that is propegated even in this thread, there ARE viruses for Macs. Granted, they are very few in comparison to Windows viruses but they do exist (as do Antivirus programs for Macs).

My brother bought a MacBook a few years ago and, while he hasn't had any viruses, there have been quite a few problems in that time (one of them even requiring him to send it in). Also, I have had system crashes on almost every Mac I've used in the past few years which includes cheap MacBooks, mid-range iMacs and even expensive Mac Pros.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Where, Jamie? They simply do not exist, but the internet myth is that somewhere, someplace, someone out there has created one! There were viruses that affected the original Mac OS, there have never been any, ever, that affected any version of OS-X

 

[Jamie123]

Where, Jamie? They simply do not exist, but the internet myth is that somewhere, someplace, someone out there has created one! There were viruses that affected the original Mac OS, there have never been any, ever, that affected any version of OS-X

Firstly, it depends on what you want to count as a virus. Do trojans count, too? I know technically they don't but they are arguably a bigger problem than viruses as they are more common nowadays than actual viruses. I'm not sure whether or not there is self-executing malware (i.e. viruses) for OS X but there are definitely a few Trojans (e.g. AppleScript.THT, OSX.RSPlug.A, OSX.Lamzev.A-.F, -.D, OSX.Trojan.iServices.A and B, OSX/Tored-A, OSX/Jahlav-C). Of course they are very few in numbers so they can be fixed easily but they still exist. And if they are gone now there's nothing preventing that new ones will appear.
And before you say ''see, no viruses, only trojans'' let me tell you that I've never had any problems with viruses on any Windows machine. Trojans, yes, viruses, no.

 

[wgerrard]

There were viruses that affected the original Mac OS, there have never been any, ever, that affected any version of OS-X

As far as I know, that's correct. A few examples of malware and worms have been claimed, but did not spread. Technically, a virus is a different kind of animal.

Macs working in a Windows-centric network environment can pass on attacks targeting that OS, so it makes sense to run antiviral software on them.

I think the claim that OS X is more secure that Windows can be justified. Maybe more important is the fact that Windows machines overwhelmingly dominate, along with expertise in that OS and how to attack it. Viruses and other attacks are spread by contact between computers, so why target a very small sliver of the computer population? If you are a bad guy in it for the money, your best bet is to target Windows.

Even if Windows became the most secure OS, the attacks would continue and be successful, because no OS can protect itself from human behavior. E.g., clicking on a link to an unknown email attachment.

 

[underbyte]

Ahhh, a fountain of joy at my fingertips.

Ahhh, a fountain of joy at my fingertips.

First let me say that my next laptop will be a Mac and I quite like the OS.

That being said, in my experience Macs are not the problemfree fountains of joy everyone likes to make them out to be. Despite the widespread myth that is propegated even in this thread, there ARE viruses for Macs. Granted, they are very few in comparison to Windows viruses but they do exist (as do Antivirus programs for Macs).

My brother bought a MacBook a few years ago and, while he hasn't had any viruses, there have been quite a few problems in that time (one of them even requiring him to send it in). Also, I have had system crashes on almost every Mac I've used in the past few years which includes cheap MacBooks, mid-range iMacs and even expensive Mac Pros.

Disclosure: I am a mac zealot. I do not pretend to be otherwise, and I despise windows and most things Microsoft. Be that as it may, I don't stand on my soapbox very often so I will take this opportunity :angel:
Also, I frequently use both systems so I have reasonable experience getting around on Windows.

Now, to the response (light rant 🙂 ):
Respectfully, I didn't say that there aren't problems or crashes. All computers have issues and crash. But, I have been able to resolve all of the problems without a trip to Apple. And, when there is a problem, Apple support can be (although not always) stellar.

1) When there were battery issues and recalls, All you had to do was make a call or go on line, and poof, another battery was at your door in just over a day.

2) When my ex-wife's used iBook (not technically mine 😉) had a motherboard issue, she took it to the Apple store. Although way out of warranty, they fixed it for free and had it back within days - amazing!

3) Call them trojans, viruses, I don't really bother to distinguish the difference because no matter what the name, it's a HASSLE. After months of being told "no", and then finally threatening Gateway with letters from the Attorney General, they finally fixed my girlfriend's computer. It took weeks, not days. She had purchased a warranty that they wouldn't even honor! Then, she got one of them viruses or trojans that was a real pain to figure out, took most of a night. I run spybot and some other malware detector apps on her laptop.

The point is, there are always problems. But, the advanced Mac user can download apps, solve problems, edit audio, make or compress pdf's, generate web pages, cool presentations, etc. etc. etc. in the time that the average Windows user is still searching Google for a solution.

Problem free? no. Fountains of joy? Compared to Windows, you bet!!!

I don't really want to engage in a mac vs. windows flame war on this site so please take my comments as one person's experience, and not an attack on anyone else. With Love and Mac special fairy pixie (umm... make that pixel) dust, Thanks!