I still urge caution, I just don't urge the use of anti-viral software as a means of protection.
A snippet from the linked article:
The bottom line is that Mac OS X virus software has, collectively, precipitated more security flaws, slow-downs, accidental file deletions and overall system issues than perhaps any other grouping of software.
It's also important to remember that just because you have an AntiVirus software package installed and regularly scanning your hard drive does not -- by any means -- ensure you will not contract a Mac OS X virus should one materialize. Virus scanning software works by checking files on your hard drive against a pre-defined set of file types that could potentially be malware. Should the dreaded effective Mac OS X virus surface, current AntiVirus software will be rendered impotent against its spread until virus definitions are updated to account for the new type
heck, it's a really good article so i'll just post the highlights here (emphasis added by me)
"If I can get our Mac users up to speed and say 'you are not immune' -- so when [the malware] hits, hopefully we will be pretty safe," he said.
The University of Otago's Apple desktops are all loaded with antivirus protection just in case of an outbreak.
"We want to be ready for the first big Macintosh virus -- because it will come. Some day, somebody will say 'I am going to create a headline and write a virus for Mac'," said Borrie.
Borrie admits to being a Macintosh fan and claims to have used one 'since the day they were launched', but he said the problem with loyal communities like Macintosh users is that when it comes to security, the conversation is usually 'religious' rather than constructive.
I still urge caution, I just don't urge the use of anti-viral software as a means of protection.
A snippet from the linked article:
The bottom line is that Mac OS X virus software has, collectively, precipitated more security flaws, slow-downs, accidental file deletions and overall system issues than perhaps any other grouping of software.
It's also important to remember that just because you have an AntiVirus software package installed and regularly scanning your hard drive does not -- by any means -- ensure you will not contract a Mac OS X virus should one materialize. Virus scanning software works by checking files on your hard drive against a pre-defined set of file types that could potentially be malware. Should the dreaded effective Mac OS X virus surface, current AntiVirus software will be rendered impotent against its spread until virus definitions are updated to account for the new type
my argument is not about antivirus programs, it's about this "Titanic" philosophy that the mac faithful have. 'We are unsinkable!' bah, it's only a matter of time.
my argument is not about antivirus programs, it's about this "Titanic" philosophy that the mac faithful have. 'We are unsinkable!' bah, it's only a matter of time.
Oh. Well, the Mac may spring a tiny leak....
So we're in basic agreement, then.
I still think I'm safer relying on all the Windows users crying out "I told you so" as my early warning system than I am mucking up my system with anti-virus software. Believe me, when a true virus hits the Mac, it will be news. In the meantime, prudent caution...
Guys, didn't we discuss that 100 times already?
Frequent visitor to the Red Light Districts will catch STD sooner or later.
Downloading and launching unknown software eventually will give you some trouble.
Don't do that - you'll be 99.99% safe, Windows or Mac.
Thinking that any s/w system - Pick, OSX, Linux or Windows - is impermeable only means being quite naive... They all are - until someone puts some efforts into breaking. :
Frequent visitor to the Red Light Districts will catch STD sooner or later.
Downloading and launching unknown software eventually will give you some trouble.
Don't do that - you'll be 99.99% safe, Windows or Mac.
Thinking that any s/w system - Pick, OSX, Linux or Windows - is impermeable only means being quite naive... They all are - until someone puts some efforts into breaking. :
Just my thoughts.
You're misunderstanding the discussion, Nik. And you're wrong that PCs are as safe as Macs.
I guess a dog's view can't hurt anything at this point...
My 'simple' solution based on pure economics (read: hardware on hand + a small cash investment):
1. Build a 'web' cruiser out of the pile of pc stuff laying around.
2. Build a dedicated photo editing box that will easily keep pace or surpass current and near future Mac offerings...
Intel Conroe dual-core E6XXX, 4GB DDR2, a couple SATA II drives, two 20.1" Samsung monitors, Win XP home, etc etc etc
Fast, quiet, stable, and cheap (relatively). Only need for internet is to upload pics, which can be done very securely with minimum effort.
Use common sense for backups, keep only non-critical info on the Web-box, which if\when infected can be f-disked to oblivion in minutes if necessary. I figure my net cost to easily be under $1000 and will take care of my needs for quite some time. I couldn't begin to touch a comparable Apple system for anywhere less than $1800 I believe and that only gets me a 20" iMac with 512mb of ram, one 20" monitor, and a 2ghz intel core duo cpu.
For *my* needs, having a single stand alone editing station that easily benches as fast or faster than a mac and a 'junk' pc for day to day surfing and non-critical apps makes more sense.
But that's just me...
If every keystroke was a shutter press I'd be a pro by now...
You're misunderstanding the discussion, Nik. And you're wrong that PCs are as safe as Macs.
Of course, Macs are much safer. So are the TVs, fridges and dishwashers. Easy to use, virus-free, energy-star-compliant, etc.
It's been said many times: no one is safe. Denying the very possibilty (i.e. being religious instead of being practical) is hiding one's head in the sand. Don't surf the astalalvista and xxx-sites, don't download warez, and you don't get burnt. Oh, I forgot.. there is no warez for macs...
Of course, Macs are much safer. So are the TVs, fridges and dishwashers. Easy to use, virus-free, energy-star-compliant, etc.
It's been said many times: no one is safe. Denying the very possibilty (i.e. being religious instead of being practical) is hiding one's head in the sand. Don't surf the astalalvista and xxx-sites, don't download warez, and you don't get burnt. Oh, I forgot.. there is no warez for macs...
I agree that Macs aren't 100% safe, and I've said it above. That's not what I'm saying. Just saying that both boats may be leaky, but one's out in the middle of the ocean and the other's in dry dock.
Just saying that both boats may be leaky, but one's out in the middle of the ocean and the other's in dry dock.
PCs maybe leaky as hell, but at least you can use them to cross the ocean.:D
And I wonder, what is the use of a boat that can be only used in a dry dock?
Sorry, David, it was your analogy, not mine, could not help it
PCs maybe leaky as hell, but at least you can use them to cross the ocean.:D
And I wonder, what is the use of a boat that can be only used in a dry dock?
Sorry, David, it was your analogy, not mine, could not help it
I figured you'd go there. I posted, and thought, "Now I've stepped in it."
But you get the point. It's like you want to stay healthy, last place on earth you'd go to is a hospital. Viruses everywhere. Just steer clear and stay healthy. (There's another analogy for you to tear apart!)
I figured you'd go there. I posted, and thought, "Now I've stepped in it."
But you get the point. It's like you want to stay healthy, last place on earth you'd go to is a hospital. Viruses everywhere. Just steer clear and stay healthy. (There's another analogy for you to tear apart!)
The analogies are getting us farther and farther from the actual things.
I was just pulling your leg, we all know where we stand on this:-):):
I simply didn't have a chance to talk to you almost since May, so I thought I'd add some spices in this ragout :-)
All in all, I think it's time to get sometime soon
You may be interested to know that security experts Sophos have recently recommended people switch to Macs (by the way I use both and am neutral on the subject, both platforms have their advantages.)
You may be interested to know that security experts Sophos have recently recommended people switch to Macs (by the way I use both and am neutral on the subject, both platforms have their advantages.)
From my recent experience, I'd say they're more like snakes on a plane.
you in on that one?
fwiw, DavidTO I'm firmly in your camp. My Windows systems all run anti-virus, updates each night and scans at night when I'm not using 'em. My Powerbook doesn't run any. I'm no religious nutter, but I know enough to know that a banana's already wrapped by nature, doesn't need an extra covering.
(And, fwiw, I work for one of those computer companies that, among other things, builds, sells and supports systems that run Windows. Have for over a dozen years. Been a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Twice. I believe I know what I'm speaking about. Any customer that wants to run anti-virus software on his Mac, Linux or other Unix system - I say go right ahead, it's your perogitave but I believe it's a waste of processor time.)
Now... :burger and , that sounds more like someting worth discussing.
(and please folks - personal rant here - its' "Mac" or "Macintosh" not "MAC" and "Windows" or "Win" or "PC" not "WIN")
Comments
That's old news and a completely innocuous, unsuccessful attempt to create an OSX virus. It failed in the wild and is not worth worrying about.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
also, here is an article written just for you.
http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/09/09/1545241&from=rss
http://zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Mac_community_must_wake_up_to_security/0,2000061744,39210762,00.htm
And, read this.
I still urge caution, I just don't urge the use of anti-viral software as a means of protection.
A snippet from the linked article:
The bottom line is that Mac OS X virus software has, collectively, precipitated more security flaws, slow-downs, accidental file deletions and overall system issues than perhaps any other grouping of software.
It's also important to remember that just because you have an AntiVirus software package installed and regularly scanning your hard drive does not -- by any means -- ensure you will not contract a Mac OS X virus should one materialize. Virus scanning software works by checking files on your hard drive against a pre-defined set of file types that could potentially be malware. Should the dreaded effective Mac OS X virus surface, current AntiVirus software will be rendered impotent against its spread until virus definitions are updated to account for the new type
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
I do not believe that the Mac is secure by design. Sure it's MORE secure, but that's far from secure.
I just strongly believe that at this time anti-virus software does more harm than good.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
sorry Steve.
Oh. Well, the Mac may spring a tiny leak....
So we're in basic agreement, then.
I still think I'm safer relying on all the Windows users crying out "I told you so" as my early warning system than I am mucking up my system with anti-virus software. Believe me, when a true virus hits the Mac, it will be news. In the meantime, prudent caution...
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Frequent visitor to the Red Light Districts will catch STD sooner or later.
Downloading and launching unknown software eventually will give you some trouble.
Don't do that - you'll be 99.99% safe, Windows or Mac.
Thinking that any s/w system - Pick, OSX, Linux or Windows - is impermeable only means being quite naive... They all are - until someone puts some efforts into breaking.
Just my thoughts.
You're misunderstanding the discussion, Nik. And you're wrong that PCs are as safe as Macs.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
My 'simple' solution based on pure economics (read: hardware on hand + a small cash investment):
1. Build a 'web' cruiser out of the pile of pc stuff laying around.
2. Build a dedicated photo editing box that will easily keep pace or surpass current and near future Mac offerings...
Intel Conroe dual-core E6XXX, 4GB DDR2, a couple SATA II drives, two 20.1" Samsung monitors, Win XP home, etc etc etc
Fast, quiet, stable, and cheap (relatively). Only need for internet is to upload pics, which can be done very securely with minimum effort.
Use common sense for backups, keep only non-critical info on the Web-box, which if\when infected can be f-disked to oblivion in minutes if necessary. I figure my net cost to easily be under $1000 and will take care of my needs for quite some time. I couldn't begin to touch a comparable Apple system for anywhere less than $1800 I believe and that only gets me a 20" iMac with 512mb of ram, one 20" monitor, and a 2ghz intel core duo cpu.
For *my* needs, having a single stand alone editing station that easily benches as fast or faster than a mac and a 'junk' pc for day to day surfing and non-critical apps makes more sense.
But that's just me...
Of course, Macs are much safer. So are the TVs, fridges and dishwashers. Easy to use, virus-free, energy-star-compliant, etc.
It's been said many times: no one is safe. Denying the very possibilty (i.e. being religious instead of being practical) is hiding one's head in the sand. Don't surf the astalalvista and xxx-sites, don't download warez, and you don't get burnt. Oh, I forgot.. there is no warez for macs...
I agree that Macs aren't 100% safe, and I've said it above. That's not what I'm saying. Just saying that both boats may be leaky, but one's out in the middle of the ocean and the other's in dry dock.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
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PCs maybe leaky as hell, but at least you can use them to cross the ocean.:D
And I wonder, what is the use of a boat that can be only used in a dry dock?
Sorry, David, it was your analogy, not mine, could not help it
I figured you'd go there. I posted, and thought, "Now I've stepped in it."
But you get the point. It's like you want to stay healthy, last place on earth you'd go to is a hospital. Viruses everywhere. Just steer clear and stay healthy. (There's another analogy for you to tear apart!)
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
The analogies are getting us farther and farther from the actual things.
I was just pulling your leg, we all know where we stand on this:-):):
I simply didn't have a chance to talk to you almost since May, so I thought I'd add some spices in this ragout :-)
All in all, I think it's time to get
http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
I'll be buying the desktop in a month or two, so every tinsy info is welcome.
From my recent experience, I'd say they're more like snakes on a plane.
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Here's a link:-
http://www.securitypronews.com/news/securitynews/spn-45-20060705SecurityFirmSaysGetAMac.html
Reading is hard eh? DavidTO posted that on the first page of this thread. It's what started all this madness.
you in on that one?
fwiw, DavidTO I'm firmly in your camp. My Windows systems all run anti-virus, updates each night and scans at night when I'm not using 'em. My Powerbook doesn't run any. I'm no religious nutter, but I know enough to know that a banana's already wrapped by nature, doesn't need an extra covering.
(And, fwiw, I work for one of those computer companies that, among other things, builds, sells and supports systems that run Windows. Have for over a dozen years. Been a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. Twice. I believe I know what I'm speaking about. Any customer that wants to run anti-virus software on his Mac, Linux or other Unix system - I say go right ahead, it's your perogitave but I believe it's a waste of processor time.)
Now... :burger and
(and please folks - personal rant here - its' "Mac" or "Macintosh" not "MAC" and "Windows" or "Win" or "PC" not "WIN")
my words, my "pro"pictures, my "fun" pictures, my videos.
Yeah, I posted it, and more importantly, BWG can be surly.
I hope you're kidding, because no one should take him too seriously....
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
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