Malicious Program Targets Mac's say Experts

I think the reason that there are fewer viruses for Macs is because hackers love attention and numbers. To few mac users to even make it worth their time.

Does anybody know the numbers for PC vs Mac owners in the US?

Macs still are 100% immune to viruses. And, there has never been a virus for Mac OS since OS X.

If you download a random application from an unknown source, and give it your admin password, it can do whatever it wants, even destroy your system, that is not what you call a virus.

And, incase it's not obvious, the fluff about Macs being a small percentage of the market and not a target is just that, fluff. Macs may be a small share of the market, but most people who make viruses or hack aren't in it for the money, they are in it for the challenge, and a company that touts invulnerability is a huge target.

You could always do like some and run Microsoft on one drive, OSX on another (hacked version for PC hardware, you can find it if you know where to look) and Ubuntu on another.

I do a lot of things with my 'pooter and having the convenience of all three makes me a lot happier than having to buy 3 machines.

Virtual machines are another way to get what you need.

Macs are waaaaay better than PCs. Virus vulnerability is just one of many reasons why. Macintosh cares more about the user than Microsoft does.

When or if viruses become more geared towards Macs, Macintosh will respond quickly because the user is inconvenienced.

Better programs, better technology, smarter company.

So they were only safe because no one had them other than a few people here and there and retarded placements in movies.

My grandson just got a Mac laptop and he says it's the best computer he ever had.

Appears there are a lot of Mac users on Current. ?

mmm. I would love to be one of those people hunting for viruses. Would probably burn my eyes out... but you know.

Should of went with Ubuntu!

Don't worry, Justin Long has got it under control.

As long as you are smart about what you download, where you go, and what emails you open, all systems will be safe. The fact of the matter is that Mac's are safer because they are so uncommon...but I never have really understood why someone would waste their life making a computer virus...wtf do you gain from it??

Earlier this year I got really nervous about nefarious 'keyloggers' -- I briefly monitored network activity using Little Snitch, but it was a little too intense for me. Now I'm just using MacScan.

"Remember, hacking is more than just a crime. It's a survival trait."

linux for me

Here’s the reason to create viruses for Mac:

http://stashuk.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/071002_missouri_macs.jpg

A lot of trendy students!
I’ve been using pc’s since for almost 18 years, and I only can remember one real virus infecting my PC. Was a backdoor that filled my HD with trash files. Protect your machine is easy, just use common sense.
I like Macs also, and I have worked in Macs, but I think they’re overrated in some ways.

What? Nobody saw the writing on the wall?

Mac OS maybe more secure, but the easiest way to infect a computer is through a careless user. Mac people had better start watching what they download a little more carefully.

I hate hackers, what creeps.

Since Mac OS is built on UNIX, it will always be more secure and harder to crack than Windows. Plus, Apple is a lot quicker about posting updates to software than Microsoft.

Alright so what can be done about it ?

I always thought Mac's where to be so safe and even the ads they have with the 'PC' talk about how Mac's are immune to these viruses. Maybe some programmer finally hacked the operating system for Mac?

NOOOOOO! not my beautiful mac! i mean NO ONE BUY THEM they suck um yes! DON'T BUY ONE!

Crap...

The malicious software was first reported in January. It didn't gain widespread attention until recently, when Mario Ballano Barcena and Alfredo Pesoli of Symantec, maker of the popular Norton antivirus products, detailed the software in a publication called "Virus Bulletin."