"Fortress Mac is finally breached" MacUser article

[JohnnyBoy]

Just thought I'd post the link to this article as it's definitely worth a read...
http://www.macuser.co.uk/news/246852
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[TonyMontana]

Tis' true Johnny. I myself am guilty. Instead of running a software security full time I might just start running it on individual programs before install. Or anything that requires a admin password for that matter. We as mac users have become too comfortable (or lazy in my case) in our OS environment.
_________________
MacMini 2.0GHz C2D (2009)
MacMini 2.16GHz Intel Core Duo
Dell Mini 10v *OSX 10.6.4*

[Smithcraft]

Why do they write stuff like this every time a new bit of malware is discovered for OS X?

After, at least, three years of malware coming out for, or would that be against, OS X it is well past time to write headlines like "Fortress Mac has fallen."

Bunch of hacks(the writers, not the hackers)!

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

[Aquafire]

Yeah some attack...

Look at how many Macs got infected...

Then compare it to Attacks on Windows...

[Smithcraft]

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!

[jazzman]

After being online 24/7 with various Macs for 10 years and having never caught a bug, I think there is a strong chance I'll stick with MacOS.
_________________
Mac+, SE30, Classic, 4400 (metal), 603, LC475, iMac bondi (3), iBk orange. In use: iBk 'ice' G3/500, PB12" G4, Mini C2D 1.83, MacBkPro 13", WiFi hub, 1 mouse & 1 keyb thru Teleport, 3 Acer 19", 1 Acer 23"

[Aargh-a-Knot]

I was just watching a tutorial video on "Networking and Security" on Lynda.com, and the guy said they did a test to see how long a computer could stay hooked up to the internet without any sort of protection (including the firewall of a router) before getting compromised, and he said it took an average of about 12 seconds.



I'm not usually one to fall prey to these sort of scare tactics, but that kinda worked on me.

Of course, after watching the section on Mac security, I felt much better....but still.

I wish there was a good breakdown on how to best protect your Mac from security threats somewhere...

Does anyone here use the built in firewall software in Leopard?

I have an Airport Extreme Base Station, use Little Snitch, and have Intego's Virus Barrier installed, so I'm not convinced that the built in firewall is gonna do much more for me than what I've already got.

[Aargh-a-Knot]

[jazzman]

[JohnnyBoy]

[lumberjack]

Aqua,

its good that Python lives on ( unlike Graham ).

Can we pour boiling oil on the Window adversaries ?

[Smithcraft]

[JohnnyBoy]

[lynx2cross]

This article isn't telling us anything we don't already know, if you install a virus, trojan, or malware on your mac it's "You" the user who is responsible for putting it there. Especially don't download pirated software and be very cautious about using peer2peer networks. Get your software from reputable sources like apple.com, version tracker, and Mac update. And using a firewall anytime you're connected to the internet is always recommended.

Now I'm new to using a mac and at first I was using antivirus software just to be on the safe side but then I learned that it's really not necessary, unless you have no brains and go around installing viruses on purpose as did the idiot who wrote that article and now wants to cry wolf to the rest of us. I have enough faith in apple that when the time comes and it becomes a must have they will tell us, and who knows maybe by then it will be something that will be built into the operating system already to protect us from such threats.

[Smithcraft]

The funny thing is, reputable source or not - malware can still be there. Many years back, our beloved MS shipped Office with malware on it.

Vigilance is never ending!

SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.

[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8

[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)

Make sure it has pins!