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Army Buys Macs to Beef Up Security

Posted by Zonk on from the shiny-red-firewall dept.

agent_blue writes "The Army is integrating Macs into their IT network to thwart hack attempts. The Mac platform, they argue, is more secure because there are fewer attacks against OS X than Windows-based systems. 'Military procurement has long been driven by cost and availability of additional software--two measures where Macintosh computers have typically come up short against Windows-based PCs. Then there have been subtle but important barriers: For instance, Macintosh computers have long been incompatible with a security keycard-reading system known as Common Access Cards system, or CAC, which is heavily used by the military. The Army's Apple program, created [in 2005], is working to change that.'"

12 of 342 comments (clear)

  1. but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    i thought they don't allow gays in the military?!?

    1. Re:but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Hey I'm gay you insensitive clod... wait no...!!! That joke backfired horribly!!

    2. Re:but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      There's no rule against being a Mac user in the military. You're just not allowed to tell people that you're a Mac user, and they're not allowed to ask if you're a Mac user.

  2. One small step by kryliss · · Score: 5, Funny

    One small step for Mac one giant leap for Mac kind.

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    --- If the bible proves the existence of God, then Superman comics prove the existence of Superman.
  3. According to Hollywood by techpawn · · Score: 3, Funny

    All computers used in the military facilities in the Transformers movie by the teams trying to break the Decepticon's code where Apples. It should also be pointed out that the computer that defeated the martins in Independence Day where macs.

    Life imitating "art"?

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    Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country did to you
  4. I'm stumped. by grub · · Score: 4, Funny


    How will they know if the user prefers a Mac or PC with their "Don't ask, don't tell" policy?

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    Trolling is a art,
  5. No surprise by L4m3rthanyou · · Score: 3, Funny

    With a runaway defense budget like ours, I'd say the mac is a perfect fit!

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    One of these days, I'm going to cut you into little pieces.
  6. I've seen this before... by theurge14 · · Score: 3, Funny

    HThe Army's push to use Macs to help protect its computing corps got its start in August 2005, when General Steve Boutelle, the Army's chief information officer, gave a speech calling for more diversity in the Army's computer vendors. He argued the approach would both increase competition among military contractors and strengthen its IT defenses.

    "Sir, I have the DOJ on line 2."
    "Tell them to get Bill Gates in here."
    "Yes sir."
    (door opens an hour later)
    "Bill Gates, you told us Windows Vista would be more secure!"
    "It IS more secure, over five million...(BLAM)"

  7. Military Intelligence by Foofoobar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Mac: Hi I'm a Mac
    PC: and I'm a PC
    Military Intelligence: And I'm no longer an oxymoron

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    This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
  8. Bootcamp by corychristison · · Score: 4, Funny

    Brings a whole new meaning to BootCamp, doesn't it?

  9. Re:Army buys BigMacs to Beef Up by Nullav · · Score: 4, Funny

    Anyway, who else has a hard time imagining an army without right clicks?
    Not me! How do they plan to assign orders after selecting units? It's like these people have never been on the field!
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    I just read Slashdot for the articles.
  10. Don't ask, ... by AnomaliesAndrew · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't ask, don't Intel?

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    Move all sig!