“The National Security Agency – the U.S. government’s cryptologic organization, has given Mac OS X 10.4 a glowing endorsement for security,” Charles W. Moore writes for Applelinks.
Moore writes, “The NSA is a bleeding-edge high-tech spy outfit, so their endorsement of an operating system’s security carries a lot of weight. In the introduction to its ‘Mac OS X Security Configuration For Version 10.4 or Later, Second Edition,’ the NSA says:
As part of a change in our development strategy for security guidance, the National Security Agency does not intend to publish separate security guides for the Macintosh OS X operating system beyond that which was produced by the vendor, beginning with Tiger, OS X version 10.4.x. The recommendations in Apple’s “Mac OS X Security Configuration For Version 10.4 or Later” and “Mac OS X Server Security Configuration For Version 10.4 or Later” track closely with the security level historically represented in the NSA guidelines. It is our belief that these guides establish the latest best practices for securing the products and recommend that traditional customers of our security recommendations use the Apple guides when securing Macintosh OS X 10.4.x and Macintosh OS X Server 10.4.x.
Full article, with links to the NSA documents, here.
ZDNet’s Larry Dignan also extensively covers the story in his blog here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Another Irish Dude” for the heads up.]
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Bill Gates has lost his mind: calls Apple liars, copiers; slams Mac OS X security vs. Windows – February 02, 2007
Security firm: 38-percent of malware already Windows Vista-compatible – January 22, 2007
FUD Alert: CNET tries to equate Windows’ insecurity to handful of Mac OS X proof-of-concepts – December 02, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows is inherently more vulnerable to severe malware than Apple’s Mac OS X – August 23, 2006
Chicago Tribune falls for the ‘Security Via Obscurity’ myth – August 14, 2006
Symantec details more security holes in Microsoft’s Windows Vista – July 26, 2006
Symantec researcher: At this time, there are no file-infecting viruses that can infect Mac OS X – July 13, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Gartner analyst tries to propagate discounted Mac OS X ‘security via obscurity’ myth via BBC – July 06, 2006
Sophos Security: Dump Windows, Get a Mac – July 05, 2006
Security company Sophos: Apple Mac the best route for security for the masses – December 06, 2005
Apple Macs are inherently safer and more secure than Microsoft Windows – November 22, 2005
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16-percent of computer users are unaffected by viruses, malware because they use Apple Macs – June 15, 2005
Another columnist trots out Mac OS X ‘Security through Obscurity’ myth – April 03, 2004
Columnist tries the ‘security through obscurity’ myth to defend Windows vs. Macs on virus front – October 01, 2003
Shattering the Mac OS X ‘security through obscurity’ myth – August 28, 2003
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Just another gov’t excuse not to do any work….
Listen closely….
Thats the sound a few more office chairs dying.
75,998 Microsoft employees in 102 countries just simultaneously cringed, grabbed their office chairs and are desperately trying to find a place to hide.
MW: trouble – and it’s not in River City.
I knew that, I watch 24
Even terrorists are more worried!
Bozos
S.
The beginning of the end starts slow and builds speed.
First one, then another and another news agency says VISTA is junk and only buy if you have to.
Then one government agency after another says Vista purchases on hold and now they are starting to say the Mac software is good.
Microsoft, welcome to the long slide down to obscurity.
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ne
Actually, this IS a big deal. To get an idea of what it really means, look at the guide on how to secure a Windows XP computer. (http://www.nsa.gov/snac/downloads_winxp.cfm?MenuID=scg10.3.1.1) You will see all sorts of work arounds to making the computer secure. The WinXP version is 185 pages of very technical information on how to secure the computer.
What the NSA just said is “The Mac really is safer”
” . . . VISTA is junk and only buy if you have to.”
Good points, but have to buy Vista?
Hmmm. I can’t think of any reasons. Is there a reason agencies or companies or consumers would need Vista? Serious question.
The key here – besides the obvious endorsement impact – is that Apple’s standard OS X 10.4 security is appropriate. No extra steps required. No extra software. No modifying the system, etc… Methinks the Windows “insecurity” experts out there will sit up and take notice of that salient fact.
I guess this should finally shut old George Ou’s mouth!
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=451
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security has pushed Windows as their standard platform. Of course, many of us who work for the Feds know DHS is one of the most dysfunctional agencies we have. A recent survey of federal agencies rated them 35 or 36 out of 36 across a range of criteria. (Some of us opposed creation of DHS in the proposed form, expecting just such a result.) They’ve been through several CIOs. I don’t know if any have challenged the Windows orthodoxy there.
George Ou is telling anyone who will listen that Apple is conducting an anti-security firm FUD campaign.
If they are, it’s about time. The anti-Mac security FUD campaign the security firms have been waging has gone on long enough.
Oh, and George, if you’re reading, the black hatters still haven’t broken into a new Mac out of the box. Anyone can hack their own computer, you idiot.
The NSA also released a similar guide for OS X 10.3 Panther in late 2004.
The news here is that the goverment guide seems to come out just as Apple is about to release the next version of OS X.
Better late than never and all that, but they aren’t too fast off the mark. Especially since the differences between Panther and Tiger weren’t that large.
The DHS is all about security. Just not here in the U.S.
@Raymond:
I could not agree with you more. When will they ever learn. Just last Friday, I lost my outlook and my programs–you know, the one where all your programs are located from the start button.
Yep, you guessed it, I work for DHS–under the USCG.
The National Security Agency has given Mac OS X 10.4 a glowing endorsement for security.
I know certain .gov people who told me that this endorsement is just a campaign to get the people that are hiding something to use Mac OS X.
The NSA has backdoors into everything, including Mac OS X.
Sure it don’t make sense, but this is the reason why.
Windows machines have so many other people rooting around inside that the NSA is having a hard time connecting what is on a Windows hard drive with the person who owns the computer.
With a Mac, it shuts out all the other guys and the intelligence gleamed is geniune.
Just imagine if something bad like k-porn was found on your Mac hard drive. Assuming your innocent, the lengendary Mac “security” will be used to prove that it would be very unlikely a hacker placed k-porn on it to frame you.
Everyone knows Windows is insecure and would give you the benefit of the doubt.
‘glowing security endorsement’
tea, anyone?
MW:very, as in obscure.
WiseGuy,
Only a paid Windows FUDmiester could find a problem with a secure rival OS. Mac OS X’s biggest flaw is it is just too secure. What a steaming pile of FUD.
Cool ideas for handy OS X apps developed for the NSA:
iTap
iSmear
iSurveillance HD
iDisappear Lite
Limited addition “Think Different” Oliver North poster.
Sweet!
When my brain gives out I want an OSX replacement …..it’ll be more secure than what I’ve got now.
I won’t be vulnerable to psychic vampires …..and when Apple says they expect to sell 10 million of a thing by the end of 2008
and then an influential analyst comes along and says he expects Apple to sell 10 million and 1 by the end of 2008 and Apple does indeed sell 10 million but fails to get the analysts extra 1 …….and then the internet is rippling with expressions of disappointment in sales …
….my OSX brain will choice me up an appropriate ripple of my own. Pathetic analyst battles severe rash of Apple penis-envy …needs infusion of self-respect.
The way I read the articlce it sounds like the NSA is simply saying that Apple’s guidelines match their guidelines. The NSA is not praising the security of OS X so much as it is praising Apple’s guides on setting up the OS for security.
Yeah if you watch 24, everyone’s now using Macs, so it must be true.
What’s next James Bond dialing up mayhem on his iPhone or taking out bad guys with his iPPK?
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In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security has pushed Windows as their standard platform.
Of course. It all depends on how you define security. They obviously think it means “job security” in the politicians — military-industrial complex merry-go-round. A bit of a threat, even a fart from the ghost of Osama, is worth $200-million to the industry.
NSA, on the other hand, is sick of all the time wasted getting stuff off Windows with all of the issues iof that platform. I mean, you have to get it running in the first place. Think of the time saved if all their targets used Macs.
The CIA, on the other hand, is happy with Windows. They need [MDN MW:] deep secrecy. Drop something into Vista and chances are nobody – and I mean nobody – and maybe not even the CIA itself might ever see it again. Now that’s secure!
It sounds to me that the NSA is going through a restructuring and doesn’t want to put anymore time or energy into developing security guides for the Macintosh OS X platform because it would just be redundant. Their guide lines most be real similar to Apples and rather put resources else where.
I didn’t read any praise for the OS X platform.
Wait a minute. I heard from a re-lie-able source that “Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally.”
Hmm… I wonder who is correct.
MDN – did Bill G. and Steve Jobs appear yet.
Peace.