Widget security worries dog Apple

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There's a difference

There's a difference between "safe" and "secure". You seem to think they are the same thing. Right now OS X is "safe" but it is by no means "secure". There have been dozens of security patches to OS X over the last few months, some to fix very severe root security holes. And there are no doubt many many more to be discovered.

The only reason why you are "safe" with OS X right now is simply because the bad guys just don't take notice. See, even if you create a patch for a hole, not everybody patches it right away. There will always be some percentage of systems that will not be patched after some given time. On Windows, this could be millions even long after the patch was released. Some of the most destructive viruses/worms on Windows were released long AFTER a patch was already available.

So it basically comes down to numbers. Do the platform have the critical mass to spread a virus, even AFTER a patch has been released? On Mac, no. On Windows, absolutely. Yes this horse has been beaten many times, but I think it is one of the main reasons for the discrepancy between the numbers of Mac/Windows viruses, and much less about how "secure" either system is.

Judging by this latest security lapse on Apple's part, I would hardly see them as an OS vendor that produces a secure OS. It's just that the second part of the equation is not there (yet) for them. That being the numbers to sustain a virus spread.

So keep patting yourself on your back for choosing such a "safe" OS, just remember that you are "safe", but by no means "secure".

But try to explain that to your typical clueless Apple Fanboy...

Posted by: Qbt   Posted on: 05/21/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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