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Game Theory, Antivirus Improvements Explain Rise In Mac Malware
Sparrowvsrevolution writes "Four years ago, security researcher Adam J. O'Donnell used game theory to predict in a paper for IEEE Security and Privacy when malware authors would start targeting Macs. Based on some rough assumptions and a little algebra, he found that it would only become profitable to target Apple's population of users when they reached 16% market share. So why are we now seeing mass attacks on Macs like the Flashback trojan when Apple only has 11% market share? O'Donnell says it turns out he may have underestimated the effectiveness of the antivirus used by most Windows users, which now makes overconfident Mac users a relatively vulnerable and much more appealing target. Based on current antivirus detection rates, O'Donnell's equations now show that victimizing Macs becomes a profitable alternative to PCs at just 6.5% market share."
Tis a feature, allowed by the Almighty Jobs as a test thy faith in Apple .. so only mayest the True Believers be granted the next iDevice.
as stupid as windows user are... and I'll grant you they ARE stupid... Absolutely nothing compares to the apple market. There's a price to be paid for making your OS so easy to use that you don't even need to be smart enough to tie your own shoes to use it... namely, that your OS will attract all of the people not smart enough to tie their own shoes.
Now, I know all you apple "power users" are going to get all mad and scream "You're calling me dumb! I'm not dumb!" I'm not saying you're dumb... I'm saying all your friends are dumb... and you make bad technology choices... I'm sure you made a very smart, well informed decision when you chose the wrong operating system.