Macs are not immune from viruses
Apple is undermining efforts to raise awareness of security issues by implying Macs are immune from viruses, according to managed security services company, Network Box. The current advertisement, featuring the Peep Show protagonists, David Mitchell and Robert Webb, suggests that Mac users, unlike their PC-using counterparts, do not need to worry about viruses - despite evidence that malware aimed specifically at Macs is on the increase. Every day in January this year, a bug was released that specifically targeted Apple products.
Mac OS is not blighted by the same number of inherent vulnerabilities as Windows, making it a less attractive target for blackhats. However, the company urges Apple and its users to guard against complacency and remember that the Mac is not exempt from security issues.
"It is true that, since 1987, there have been less than 80 viruses for Macs; but today's biggest threats come not from viruses but from Trojans, spyware and phishing attacks. The problem with Apple using the term ‘virus' is that many home and business Mac users do not appreciate that a virus, a trojan and spyware are not one and the same thing. Understandably, they do not have the same knowledge as the security industry - or Apple - and it is not unreasonable that they may interpret ‘virus' as a catch-all term for ‘anything bad'. Which may lead them to thinking that have nothing to worry about regarding security," observes Simon Heron, UK Managing Director, Network Box.
Heron points to a number of security issues that consumers and businesses need to be aware of, irrespective of the operating system used. "Phishing attacks remain a very real threat. Mac users can be enticed by sophisticated social engineering techniques in exactly the same way as PC users can.
"Similarly, Mac users are equally susceptible to spam, which is currently the conduit of choice for distributing malware. Spammers do not concern themselves with what OS the recipient is likely to be using - they are happy to carpet-bomb anybody and everybody.
"The Mac OS is undeniably well written. But the fact is attacks against Macs are on the increase. We all in the computing world have a responsibility to embed awareness of security issues in to the consciousness of consumers and businesses alike. Unfortunately, the current Apple advert does the opposite, and by implication fuels the common misconception that the Mac OS is a totally secure one."
Reproduced from an article published by Security Park
© Security Park
The original article can be viewed here:
http://www.securitypark.co.uk/article.asp?articleid=26573&Categoryid=1
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