Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Call for Apple Security 'Czar'

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i-imagine-a-guy-with-a-stogie dept.

conq writes "The second security non-incident to hit the Mac platform in as many weeks has been debunked. People are talking a lot about security on the Mac these days, and the result is that a great deal of FUD is being spread around. BusinessWeek's latest Byte of The Apple column suggests that its time for Apple to appoint a security Czar to get out ahead of the FUD before it spreads much more." From the article: "Creating a CSO position may be viewed by some as an admission of weakness. Still, I say it would be a good way for Apple to inoculate itself against the perception -- warranted or not -- that Mac security may be eroding, and get ahead of the curve for any troubles that may be inevitable. That may not be the case, but in matters related to product marketing, it's the public perception, not the reality that really matters. And once you've lost a user's confidence, it's hard to get it back. Just ask Microsoft."

22 of 254 comments (clear)

  1. Chief Security Officer? by WinkyN · · Score: 5, Funny

    A chief security officer? Why did an image of Lt. Worf just pop in my mind?

    1. Re:Chief Security Officer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I am not a merry man.

    2. Re:Chief Security Officer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny
      A chief security officer? Why did an image of Lt. Worf just pop in my mind?

      Because he was the chief security officer on star wars. Duh.

    3. Re:Chief Security Officer? by Anonymous+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      Wow, I can imagine the next AV Package, Norton Warf. It would need to have a fire wall capable of striking back on its own (A Klingon would never let an aggressor stand), automatic redundant backups (Klingons have backup organs), and a tendency to talk back if you do something stupid (If you had any honor you would never even think of using Bonsai Buddy).

      --
      We are the Borg...
    4. Re:Chief Security Officer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      because you're a nerd?

    5. Re:Chief Security Officer? by anothergene · · Score: 1, Funny


      A chief security officer? Why did an image of Lt. Worf just pop in my mind?

      Because you are a dork.

      --
      Who's leg do I have to hump to get a dry martini around here?
    6. Re:Chief Security Officer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
      ...and a tendency to talk back if you do something stupid (If you had any honor you would never even think of using Bonsai Buddy).

      He he he... The other day I was talking to a young woman who'd just got a Mac and set her download directory to "Applications" so that anything she downloads is automatically installed. She said it made it easier to use the computer.

      User ignorance is still the biggest threat.

  2. I'm concerned by SpaceAdmiral · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm concerned about the security on my new Intel iMac. Do any helpful /.ers want a SSH login on my machine so that they can take a look and tell me if it's secure?

    1. Re:I'm concerned by Quaoar · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sure, just be sure the account has the same password as your admin account. Otherwise I won't be able to telnet the SSH to ping your gigabyte.

      --
      I'll form my OWN solar system! With blackjack! And hookers!
    2. Re:I'm concerned by Bull999999 · · Score: 1, Funny

      Same here! My IP address is 127.45.85.201.

      --
      1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d
    3. Re:I'm concerned by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      You fool. I hacked that address and now OWN your box! What's amazing is how similiar your configuration was to my own! Please wait while I reformat your hardrive...

  3. Nominate Slashdot as the Apple CSO by drrck · · Score: 3, Funny

    Probably would work just as well to link to ever slashdot argu^^^^discussion on Apple's security issues.

  4. It's just how you handle the marketing by sprior · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Creating a CSO position may be viewed by some as an admission of weakness." - Not if they market the position like the Maytag Repair Guy...

  5. What is it with the 'Czar' title? by Aspirator · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why is it we have so many 'Czar' titles nowadays?

    What about other titles for potentates?

    'Chief' 'King' 'Master' 'Commander' 'Lord' .......

    1. Re:What is it with the 'Czar' title? by mscdex · · Score: 4, Funny

      In Soviet Russia, the security Czar appoints Apple!

  6. Security Czar role will fit in well in Apple by dwalsh · · Score: 5, Funny

    He will be able to work closely with the Quality Emperor. Both ultimately report to the Development Shogun. His office is just down the hall from the Usability Kaiser.

    Every week, they hold a cross group meeting with the Sultan of Marketing, the Sales Duchess, and the Distribution Führer. They all are answerable to the Grand Baron of Charging More for Stuff because it is Shiny (he prefers people call him Tim, for brevity).

    --
    ${YEAR+1} is going to be the year of Linux on the desktop!
    1. Re:Security Czar role will fit in well in Apple by odyaws · · Score: 2, Funny
      They all are answerable to the Grand Baron of Charging More for Stuff because it is Shiny (he prefers people call him Tim, for brevity).
      Actually, I think he prefers "Steve."
      --
      Still trying to think of a clever sig...
  7. We need to defend against scare tactics by cocoamix · · Score: 5, Funny

    from a group secretly funded by Microsoft who call themselves "OS X Veterans for Truth."

    Pictures of Jane Fonda on her iMac will be forthcoming.

  8. Would it be like the Maytag repair man? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Worf sits bored and alone in his corner office:

    Worf: "This job gives me an intense feeling of Gardachk! I think I'll kill one of the developers at our next hackeysack battle."

  9. Re:I Don't See What all the Fuss is About... by benbean · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dvorak, is that you? Seriously mate, you could write for PC Magazine.

    --
    It's a Unix system - I know this.
  10. Re:Perception? by Bull999999 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Go ahead, break into 127.0.0.1. I dare you.

    I will take that challenge using all of the tools that I have. You'll be sorry when I break into your...

    CONNECTION DROPPED

    --
    1f u c4n r34d th1s u r34lly n33d t0 g37 l41d
  11. Re:Public confidence? by Midnight+Thunder · · Score: 4, Funny

    Huh? Most of the "public" I know doesn't have any lack of confidence in OS X and hasn't even heard all the latest "scares" of OS X's security.

    What is OS X? Should it effect me? ;)

    --
    Jumpstart the tartan drive.