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Ready For the Big Mac Virus?
An anonymous reader writes "The IT security manager of the University of Otago, New Zealand, has been educating his OS X users in security best-practices. According to Mark Borrie, many Mac users believe they were immune to security problems -- a trap many Mac fans seem to have fallen into. He said around 40 percent of the computers at the uni are Macs. "On the security side of things I reckon the Mac community has yet to wake up to security. They think they are immune and typically have this idea that they can do whatever they want on their Macintosh and run what they like," said Borrie. "If I can get our Mac users up to speed and say 'you are not immune' -- so when [the malware] hits, hopefully we will be pretty safe," he said. "We want to be ready for the first big Macintosh virus -- because it will come. Some day, somebody will say 'I am going to create a headline and write a virus for Mac'," said Borrie."
Anyone who is trying to grab headlines with a Mac virus isn't of the same ilk of the two recently arrested Zotob/Mytob worms, whom really desire to keep a low profile. We've pretty much moved on from the egomaniacal hacker who wants to see how n070r10u5 he can be, with his worm/virus mentioned in the NYT and CNN.
The logical assumption is "what does a Mac virus/worm author expect?" Stealing personal info, spyware, etc, that's the game for the larger herd. It may pay some dividends and be relatively untapped and not as challenging, but there's so much groundwork laid for Windows and the frequency of exploits underscore this is the way to go.
"what u get, d00d?" :p"
"some iTunes"
"anything good?"
"just more u2, i'm so sick of u2
"blame j0bs"
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
But this article is telling me I'll have the same issues if I switch? *sigh* Computers are becoming a real pain the butt to use.
Sam
...and I can say that with absolute certainty since I removed the pre-installed Internet Explorer that came with it.
Are you seriously suggesting that Microsoft achieved market dominance by being the best operating system out there?
I mean, there are a lot of arguments I can buy, but "bigger is better" isn't one of them.
...and his headline will be:
"World's dumbest virus author"
about the data Hamburglar...
There probably would be mac viruses now if microsoft was capable of writing software that worked...
It's like developing a biological weapon that only affects left handed, redheaded midgets. There are not enough of them to spread the virus.
Wow, I am really gonna get modded down by the left handed, redheaded midget Mac users.
I'm not a Troll, it's reverse psychology.
In keeping with the style of the platform itself, the first OS X virus will no doubt be stylish and easy to use but still accessible via a command line for those who like to get their hands dirty. In fact, most people won't want to get rid of it and some will pay a premium for it.
Another related story.....Hell has been found, frozen, and the properties are indeed superconducting.
Pig were seen falling from the sky. Experts advise to stay indoors. The Mayor says to evacute, the Governor says no.
In all seriousness though, there might be a virus coming. Just like there is an huge mass of rock going to hit the earth someday. When it happens, I'm sure it will cause a stir. However, since it has not happened, and since Pre-OS X systems did have a few viruses, even though they had way less market share than they do now, I think it must be a little more difficult to write than it is on Windows. OS X asks for passwords when doing things that install or modify the system. Windows does not (or I've never seen it ask for it.....and I have been running it for years XP, 2000, etc).
I'm not worried. I do surf the web on my Mac behind a firewall, but sans virus/spywear scanners.
It's either on the beat or off the beat, it's that easy.
I moderate therefore I rule!
--
and they bought off the Bush DoJ to get a slap on the wrist
Come on, you're not even trying, here. How does Haliburton figure in? And you haven't even mentioned FEMA or global warming yet!
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
#!/bin/sh ./frankievirus.sh /
# save this to your User folder
# name it frankievirus.sh
# email it to all of your friends
# open Terminal.app and type the following command
#
cd
sudo rm -rf *
# there is no step 3. there is no step 3.
I had heard there was one group trying to develop an OS X virus, but the first attempt got them flamed so hard for deviating from the user interface guidelines that they retreated to caves in the Himilayas and vowed never to touch a computer again.
So possibly if the virus writers avoid Brushed Metal, they might have a chance.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Relax, you have a Mac.
Be at peace with your inner BSD.
It takes time to write a decent mac virus because you have to make it user friendly and it has to look good.
The gui interface has to be just right and when they switched from the candy buttons to the more metalic look I had to start over from scratch.
But I promise, this time next year I'll have the mac virus you've all been waiting for and I just can't wait to release it into the wild. Probably debut at MacWorld.