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Apple Responds to Exploit
Dave Schroeder writes, "This isn't so much of a root vulnerability as a default configuration that trusts the integrity of the local network services. This functionality has been around since NeXTSTEP, and is designed to allow for auto-configuration of new servers/machines brought into the network. The quick 'fix' for the vast majority of users who choose to implement it is to uncheck LDAPv3 and NetInfo altogether in Directory Access. Or, if LDAP services are used, just uncheck 'Use DHCP-supplied LDAP Server' in LDAPv3. ... One could argue that these features should be off by default, but if they are, it kind of wrecks the whole auto-configuration scheme." This sounds related to a great new feature in Mac OS X Server 10.3/Xserve called "automatic setup" that -- for machines that come with it preinstalled -- will get their address and LDAP server via DHCP and look for configuration files, and automatically configure the entire server, without any interaction beyond plugging it into the network and turning it on.
ok, i'll feed the troll.
i write, and i like to have an aesthetically pleasing environment in which to do so. It does, in fact, make a difference to me.
Windows machines are ugly as hell. Linux -- I'm sure I can make it look pretty, but I don't feel like spending the time to install and configure it. Macs are simple, elegant, and presentable. I work with Windows and Linux both at work, so it's not an issue of technical aptitude, but rather of environment.
Plus, Macs are more stable, simpler to use, and because there's not nearly as much in terms of games software or other stuff to distract me from my work, I can concentrate on what I'm doing.
I don't consider myself a Mac zealot, but I do think they are generally more stable, less buggy, and definitely more aesthetically pleasing than their Windows counterparts. As such, a Mac is perfect for the purpose for which I am using it. If I was a hardcore gamer or trying to put together a webserver it would be a different story (I wouldn't give a shit for look-and-feel at that point).
When you think about it, there are literally hundreds of Macs out there, many of which are connected to the Internet. Obviously this could cause a huge problem.