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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."
I don't know about your definition of secure...
They have less DISCOVERED flaws that's true. But it doesn't mean there aren't many which can be discovered and exploited.
And quite frankly their virus-response is crappy. It took ages for them to patch something that Oracle had patched a while ago. I think that's the main issue here - they needed a fire lit underneath them, and even then they worked sluggishly.
The odd thing is, I've never actually heard anyone ever say "I have a Mac, so I'm immune"
What Apple Users say is:
1) There have been no viruses yet.
2) There are no (or now almost no) trojans in the wild that attack macs.
What Apple Haters say, is that all Apple Users claim they are "immune" from attacks, twisting the meaning of the above.
Even now, few Mac users would really be vulnerable to the Java based trojan that exists because it involves installing Java after navigating to a site that houses the trojan... it's not the same as being immune, but it does mean the risk of catching the trojan is low.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Caught up. Over 100,000 viruses for Windows. Maybe 6 for the OS X? Call me when it reaches 100.