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Apple, the future target?

15 February 2008 02:47PM
Tags: apple | security | apple | computer | apple | computer | security | target | apple

Apple PCs will increasingly be targeted in the future, but will they reach levels synonymous with Windows? The results of a Sophos web poll, reveal the answer.

The survey, "Big Mac attack or super-sized hype?" revealed that 93 percent out of 355 respondents believed Apple computers will be increasingly targeted in the future, a 14 percent increase from a similar survey conducted only two years ago where 79 percent believed Apple computers would become more commonly targeted by hackers.

However, 50 percent of respondents said despite an increase targeted Windows attacks will still outnumber Apple.

"Yes, the Macintosh malware threat is a concern - but it's important to put it in perspective," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

"Although we have seen the first attempts by criminal gangs to make money through Mac OS X malware, the fact of the matter is that there is only a tiny number of viruses and Trojan horses for Apple Macs when compared to Windows PCs. It seems unlikely that the Mac virus problem will ever be as big as the Windows one," he said.

   


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Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
Comments: 1
Everyone seems to be of the opinion that once MAC OS X based machines are "targeted" by malware threats those "targeting" attacks will be successful. Of course this completely ignores the simple fact that OSX, by default and by design, is *significantly* less vulnerable to many of the major security flaws that frequently causes pain and suffering to MS Windows users.

Not that I'm claiming it's *invulnerable*, just lots and lots less vulnerable. And *many* of the "basic security" features which MS has only recently released (eg in Vista) have always been a part of the core functionality of OSX.

So while the main crux of this article is basically true, just remember folks, Just Because You're A Target Does Not Mean You Are Automatically Victim.
iTnews - comments icon Posted by Ozy_Mac_UserFeb 18, 2008 11:21 AM
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