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Bah, ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,hah... Yea, then why are there absolutely NONE Symantec? ,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,FUD,,FUD,FUD,FUDFUD.

To "state" mw "the obvious", Macs can only be as vulnerable to viruses as PCs when running Windows.

Let's get Symantec to publish the list of OS X malware that it searches for every time it scans a Mac.

That will shut their pie hole.

We here at Symantec want to assure all Mac users that our virus development team is working hard to make you satisifed customers.

Just my $0.02

That's the biggest bunch of shit there is and I'd tell it to his ugly damn face!

Twenty-three years and NO viruses, Ollie boy!

What a dumb ass! Where is his proof anyway?

I guess there is nothing better to talk about?

"Apple does have a relatively good track record . . ."

Relative to what? What a stupid statement.

Ollie Whitehouse should put up or shut up. Produce a virus and prove that OS X is in imminent danger. Not theory or vulnerability. Compromised computers running Mac OS X 10.4.10.

Greedy dumbasses.

@reclaimer:

Don't jump to conclusions too fast. I had a virus on OS 7.X in the early nineties.

Yawn. Nothing more than trying to sell crap that isn't selling. The more Macs sold, the less $ for them.

MDW = 'straight'

BOGUS SPEIL...Symantec is the virus.

"Partly because if I sent out a million emails with a malicious attachment and it's an executable for Windows there's a good chance that a large proportion of those that receive it will be Windows users. To locate and target a lot of Apple Mac users is actually relatively hard."

I suppose its hard cause we are smarter and we think before we click emails?

Granted you may have a minor point but I find that whenever I need help concerning my MAC there is always a fellow apple user that can not only help but also provide tips on how to improve, and that is priceless.

By the way "help and improve" does not mean "wipe clean and reinstall"


MW: Morning as in its a nice one!

First they say the Mac is "just" as vulnerable, then they say there is the "potential" for a problem. If the Mac is just as vulnerable, why aren't there thousands of viruses out there for the Mac, just like there are for the PC? Why aren't Mac's slowed and crippled not by the viruses themselves, but by the presence of all that virus software and anti-malware software?

Let's see, if I had a software company that wrote antivirus software what sort of things might I do or say to scare people and increase business, especially given Apple's ubiquitous presence in the news lately?

I have had Virusbarrier X4—rated as Macworld's favorite virus detection program a while back—on my Macintosh (a G4 400) for about eight months now and never has it found even a single virus – neither a system virus or a Microsoft Office virus.

As with any news, you have to take it from where it comes.

That's bollocks.

My Mac got a virus once. I think it was about 1986. I used to download games and files from BBS systems on my Mac Plus using my 1200 baud modem. I think it was called nvir. It didn't do anything to my computer. It put a picture on my screen of the grim reaper and said that I was infected. I was on OS 6, I think.

That may be all that Symantec is protecting us from.

Yeah, sure! Symantec is known to produce high quality software that is always compatible to the newest operation system versions (irony off).
Putting antivirus on a Mac is like wearing a seatbelt in the drive-in theatre.

Everyone I know caught the Autostart worm in the late 90s, but that's the only malware problem in my 15+ years on the Mac platform. I run OS X with no antivirus software and I love telling my PC pals all about it.
PS: Mac Viruses By The Numbers - Word Macro: 553, Classic Mac: 26, OS X: Zero (as of 2003).

"Gee, Ollie, you gonna tell people that you think they are dumb enough to believe anything?"

"That's right, Stanley. And we're gonna make LOTS of money!"

"But Ollie, I don't think.."

"Shut up, Stanley. This had GOT to be easier than selling ice to the Eskimos. Quitting that was another fine mess you got us into."

Jimbo,
Does this mean I'll need to get my Mac SE out of storage, find a working modem and search high and low for 21 year old malware in order to get a harmless computer virus on a Mac?

That sounds like a lot of work but o.k. I'm in.

Also, I did get this virus recently:

This OSX virus works on the honor system.

Please delete random files on your hard disk, then forward this message to everyone you know. Thank you for your cooperation.

-----
MDN MW= Surface: it's a big ass table!

" . . . wearing a seatbelt in the drive-in theatre."

That depends on what you're doing in the backseat.

nvir is the only problen I have ever had. It cam on a disk that I was given at a dev conference, passed around buy a fellow who had spent the last three years gaining trust so that he would be able to pass on his virus.

came
by
rats

Bring back VHS... oops sorry, wrong topic.

Trying to drum up some business again eh Symantec?

Macs just as vulnerable to viruses as Windows?

That implies Windows is vulnerable. Who writes this crap? We are all well aware how unstable and insecure MACs are. Many reputable blogs and top-level security experts have proven how easily Apple's shoddy toys are compromised. Windows? Let's face it, Windows is an impenetrable fortress. Try again, Apple.

Your potential. Our passion.™

Symantec: Macs just as vulnerable to viruses as Windows

Hmm, if that's the case, then why have I been able to use a Mac for over 4 years now, running no anti-virus software that entire time, and I still haven't had one solitary piece of malware ever impact my system? Sorry Symantec, but your FUD is total bullsh*t...

"'Apple has been demonstrated to suffer a number of vulnerabilities over the years,' he said. 'Suffice to say that Symantec and other software security vendors do produce anti-virus software for the Mac because we believe there is the potential of a problem,'" Rivington reports.

First of all, he's not referring to Mac OSX specifically, but to Apple in the past. Secondly, he states that they believe there is a potetial problem. That is a FAR cry from the MDN headline that they are JUST as vulnerable.

Of course Symantec is going to say that they don't think they are fools for selling something no-one would need. But his statements are about as vuage as he can be -- for legal reasons.

We all think there is a potential problem. It's just so remote that we don't give it another thought.

MDN: please don't be sensationalistic. Don't create news. Just report it. You have a great history, and we love you. Just want to help you when you get a little off track.

"'Apple has been demonstrated to suffer a number of vulnerabilities over the years,' he said. 'Suffice to say that Symantec and other software security vendors do produce anti-virus software for the Mac because we believe there is the potential of a problem,'" Rivington reports.


Shouldn't that read:

"'Apple has been demonstrated... we believe there is the potential of a profit,'" Rivington reports.

That is just one man's opinion
mdn = mans (but I have to use correct grammer or I wil gt dumped n. )

As a 23 year user of Macs and prior to that a Lisa - and no viruses in all of that time - a worm that was cuaght pretty quicky is ll that I have ever seen. BUT I am and always have been cautious with what email I open.

I remember when .mac offered anti-virus softare and then decided to no longer offer it because they found n need for it. That seems ot be message to me. Aye.

Dear Symantec:

Please name one (1) virus in the wild that has ever been acknowledged to have compromised any user's OSX system. Anywhere.

Any version of OSX).

Go ahead. We're waiting.

In years of developing software for OSX; running half a dozen different Macs, all with OSX and all constantly connected to the Internet; and also following all details of Apple via the "Mac" web, as well as the mainstream press, on a daily press: I have never - NEVER - read of a successful viral exploit of an OSX system.

They just want to sell software - opps I meant crap ware that clogs up your Mac and it takes forever to delete it after it has trashed your directory.

MJ

lmao @ZuneTang

hilarious man lmao

IN OTHER BREAKING NEWS...

Penzoil advises that you change your oil every 10 miles.

Was that the real ChrissyOne?

As soon as I read this I ran out and got the latest Antivirus softwarre from symantec...

but, now my computer takes longer to start up, and is sluggish.. and I get there annoying popup things like every two minutes

but I bought a Mac to feel safe, I guess I should buy AV software to feel "really safe" right?

Next time I need to wash my car I am going to drive it into a lake

If you ARE the real C1, what is the secret password eh?

I am the real Buster.

This article is real crap.

Why are people even commenting on it.

MW... fact,,I shit thee not....

Duh, I wonder if there's a hidden agenda - duh...

Symantec won't be happy until their software is slowing down computers on all platforms. Talk about a resource hog, oink.

Send Mr Ollie Whitehouse an e-mail:-

http://www.norton-online.com/uk/component/option,com_contact/Itemid,35/

But please don't be abusive and give the Mac community a bad name.

When will Symantec just stop with the FUD? Are they being paid big bucks by Microsoft? Or are they just trying to make up for the lack of sales for AV to PC users?

@ Big Al, Buster

Oh it's me alright. The password is:
Beleaguered



MW: 'says' (it all)

"... historically the user base of Apple products are more technically knowledgeable - they're a bit wiser,"
...But he did predict that as the iPhone raises the profile of Macs among PC users and gains market share, Mac OS X could begin to suffer from similar security issues as experienced by Windows users...

Summary. Mac users smart, PC users stupid. As more PC users use Macs, they become smarter but kill the Mac platform.

@C1...You are the real deal. I am content again

Ever notice that Symantec puts out a similar advisory about this time every year - just in time for the back to school shopping wave?

I've been using Macs since they came out, and an Apple II before that. About 26 years. I've had ONE virus, back in 1997. Autostart, like most Graphic Designers I know (we got it from our print service). Sorry Symantec, I ain't buying.

I'm tired of seeing this kind of warnings and alerts from Symantec. Some time ago I made a decision, I won't have an antivirus software eating up processing cycles in my Macs until there's a reason to have it.

So far, no Mac viruses out there, so no money going to Symantec or any other antivirus company. I just let Windows users make their own cleaning.

@ ndelc

AUTOSTART!!! ha ha, those were the days. When I was working in the production department as Photodisc, all our Macs got that one, and before we caught it, we mastered it on to some CDs and distributed it to our customers! WOOT! Good times.
If you're wondering why most graphic designers got that one, blame PDI.
OH! And blame Symantec. We were running (drumroll please...) Norton at the time.
Payback is indeed a bitch.

-c

If you sell mouse traps, it behooves you to convince people that their homes are susceptible to mice infestation.

What I'd like to know is what Symantec's AV products are searching for. The most effective AV products search for known viruses. If there are no known viruses, what is the the software doing aside from looking for virus-like behavior (which is usually ineffective).

Agreed, dismissed as FUD and marketing propaganda.

"at" Photodisc, sorry.

BRING. IT. ON.

If the Mac is "just as vulnerable" to viruses, then I'm REALLY liking the kind of "just as vulnerable" that Mac OS X provides, because it's obviously doing something right seeing as there are still ZERO viruses spreading in the wild after SEVEN YEARS.

The only way a Mac can ever become as vulnerable as a PC running Windows is if, and ONLY if that mac just so happens to be running Windows on it. Solution? Use the Mac hardware for Mac software ONLY, and dump Windows forever. That's why most people buy Macs in the first place, right?

They spew forth about vulnerabilities as if they were actual attacks.
This is like comparing Market Share but not touching on actual profits as attested to by the grossly underwhelming price that Acer paid for Gateway, which according to Market Share is virtually the same as Apple.

If it was that easy to infect OS X, then you would at least think someone would have done it just for bragging rights.

Surprise! More fear-mongering out of "the Whitehouse".

LOL