Windows versus Mac OS X: Security experts say Macs not invulnerable
Friday, October 23, 2009
The latest advertising by Apple gives many people the impression that Mac OS X is inherently more secure than Windows operating systems on PCs. But security experts say the difference is superficial - hackers attack Windows flaws because there are so many more PCs than Macs.
The point was underscored by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the release of Windows 7 in New York Thursday, when he pointed out that 96 percent of the world's computers run on Windows.
"About 96 percent of the world's computers are PCs and 4 percent are Macs, and thanks to their advertising I guess everybody kind of knows the difference," Ballmer said, according to a Bloomberg News report.
Security experts point out that hackers are exploiting security vulnerabilities in Mac OS X with Trojans that come disguised as video players for QuickTime and MacCinema. Two of the most popular Mac Trojans, called RSPlug and Puper, are detected by an anti-virus scanner included on Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
"The fact is that the Mac OS is just another piece of software that skilled hackers can exploit," wrote Edwin Yapp for ZDNet Asia.
As Macs become more popular, more attackers will target their malware at Macs. But it's much more rewarding to strike at Windows because there so many more potential victims.
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