“More home and entertainment software is available for Windows computers than for Macs. Apple’s computers, however, have attractions of their own. The brand repeatedly scores at or near the top in tech support and has been reliable. Our most recent survey of desktop computer users, in fact, rated Apple more than 20 points ahead of all the other computer manufacturers for technical support. Viruses and spyware are also far less likely to target Macs than Windows PCs, judging by the number of viruses estimated to target each computing platform–a ratio of about 1,000-to-1,” Consumer Reports erroneously reports.
MacDailyNews Note: The ratio is more like 100,000 (and growing)-to-0. There are no viruses for Apple’s Mac OS X. Zero.
Consumer Reports continues, “Viruses and spyware are far more likely to target Windows PCs than Macs. It’s too soon, to know, however, whether new Macs will be more vulnerable to attack once Apple begins its switch to Intel processors, the type used in Windows PCs, next year.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Poppycock. It’s the operating system, not the processor that’s responsible for Windows’ morass of virus and malware infections and security breaches. Are Consumer Reports really helping their readers choose a personal computer with this nonsense? And now all of the TV stations and other Consumer Reports syndication outlets will repeat this load of rubbish, too. For more about why Consumer Reports is reporting absurdities about Apple Macs due to their flawed methodology, please see this related article:
Consumer Reports dubiously finds 20-percent of Mac users ‘detected’ virus in last two years -UPDATED – August 10, 2005
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Related MacDailyNews articles:
Hackers already targeting viruses for Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 04, 2005
16-percent of computer users are unaffected by viruses, malware because they use Apple Macs – June 15, 2005
ZDNet: How many Mac OS X users affected by the last 100 viruses? None, zero, not one, not ever – August 18, 2005
Intel CEO Otellini: If you want security now, buy a Macintosh instead of a Wintel PC – May 25, 2005
Apple touts Mac OS X security advantages over Windows – April 13, 2005
97,467 Microsoft Windows viruses vs. zero for Apple Mac’s OS X – April 05, 2005
Apple’s Mac OS X is virus-free – March 18, 2005
Cybersecurity advisor Clarke questions why anybody would buy from Microsoft – February 18, 2005
Security test: Windows XP system easily compromised while Apple’s Mac OS X stands safe and secure – November 30, 2004
Microsoft: The safest way to run Windows is on your Mac – October 08, 2004
Information Security Investigator says switch from Windows to Mac OS X for security – September 24, 2004
Columnist tries the ‘security through obscurity’ myth to defend Windows vs. Macs on virus front – October 1, 2003
New York Times: Mac OS X ‘much more secure than Windows XP’ – September 18, 2003
Fortune columnist: ‘get a Mac’ to thwart viruses; right answer for the wrong reasons – September 02, 2003
Shattering the Mac OS X ‘security through obscurity’ myth – August 28, 2003
Virus and worm problems not just due to market share; Windows inherently insecure vs. Mac OS X – August 24, 2003
the OS X “platform” is the SAME as the OS 9 platform?
Even though all Macs you buy have OS X, and OS 9 is from years ago?
Even though OS X has no viruses, and OS 9 is the one that had them? (Few!)
Thats another part of the FUD. OS 6 – 9 had a few viruses, but not that many. There were more new viruses created for the Windows platform this year than ever existed for the Mac platform any year.
I’ve only been a Mac user for 10 years, starting with System 7, but I’ve never had a virus on any Mac I have owned.
Hmmm compare this
http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/vndr_apple_bulletins.html
to this!!!
http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletinsByType/vndr_ms_bulletins.html
Now one might expect more attention to be paid to a OS that has as much market share as Windoze has, but it’s been around 20 years for both OS’s and something seems to stand out.
Apple has tightened their OS and M$ has not.
I’m a Honda guy personally, so this note has nothing to do with car bias–
Consumer Reports has reported in the past that they liked the Mercury Sable, but they recommended against the Ford Taurus.
Aside from badging, they’re the very same car!
Bottom line: You’re reading someone else’s opinion, and it may not one that you share… Hell, it may not even be one that they share!
Headline translation: ‘Consumer Reports Still Stubborly Refuses To Acknowldge The Truth: There Are No (zero, zip, nada) Viruses for Mac OS X. We Are Idiots.’
MaWo: ‘third’. As in, ‘If CR writers were willing to use one-third of their grey matter, they would be willing to admit to the fact that Mac OS X is: a) Virus free and b) the superior OS.’
Funny really, because in the UK we have a consumer association which goes by the name of “Which”.
From the sounds of it it is a replica of CR. For example:
– their level of expertise in computing is woeful (probably in other areas too)
– they sit on the fence to avoid offending anyone (they fear comeback because of their lack of knowledge and iffy reports)
– the target audience is mainly retired folk (mass repetitive mailings)
All in all – just plain rubbish…
Ardra – WTF are you talking about? Neither of those are viruses. One is a subversive MiM attack, and the other is difficult to exploit at best.
Get a clue before you post.
After reading so much similar rubbish from sites like cnet and other ZD propaganda, the CR article almost sounds balanced. To look on the bright side, I’m glad they even took the time to offer the superior OS as a credible choice instead of defaulting to the inferior one that mass consumers are so familiar with. I think opening the conversation to choice might be enough to clue some of the lemmings into the fact that they do have a choice. If they stumble their way into an Apple Store, they may actually be saved, along with the many other lemmings that may follow instead of going off the M$ cliff.
Macdude, what was the javascript virus? Did it affect a mac?
“Whether you opt for a Windows PC or a Mac, you should use antivirus, firewall, and antispyware programs.”
Firewall, yes. Antivirus and antispyware? For the past three years I’ve subscribed to Earthlink broadband and, to date, not a single infected email has passed through their mail server into my inbox. As far as spyware is concerned, I really don’t do anything special to avoid it other than reset Safari every day (old Windows habit). I haven’t had one instance of malware in three years of Mac computing which is friggin amazing for someone like me who has spent the past decade working in information systems. The best security decision I ever made was switching to Mac.
“Many computers include software such as Norton Internet Security or McAfee AntiSpyware…”
Funny, Apple doesn’t include any antivirus programs in their bundle. Probably because you don’t need it!
I think the real problem is that Windows users are so conditioned to living with malware that they can’t honestly fathom a computing experience that is free from it. So, instead of admitting the truth to themselves they project their own experiences onto that which they do not understand. If they actually conceeded that there really is a malware free environment they would also have to conceed that they made the wrong decision in choosing a computer.
Like they say in the 12 step program, the first step is admitting that you have a problem.
Hiring Immediately:
Major consumer magazine has immediate openings for various Test Technicians. Must have graduated from nursery school. Grade school optional. Must know how to read numbers off a pretty LED display. English optional. Must know how to say “Ah… that’s nice!” and “This sucks!” on cue. Must be able to sign their own name. Other specific requirements listed below:
Audio Test Technician:
Must know how to turn on a radio.
Helpful to know what a speaker does.
We welcome the hearing-impaired.
Video Test Technician:
Must know what TV stands for.
Helpful to know where to get the best pr0n.
We welcome the visually-impaired.
Car Test Technician:
Must know how to differentiate front and back of cars.
Helpful to know how to hot-wire.
We welcome the chronically-drunk.
Computer Test Technician:
Must know how to spell “C-O-M-P-U-T-E-R”
Helpful to know what a “mouse” is.
We welcome MCSE.
No application will be refused except for those with a college degree — We cannot afford you. Benefits include discount rental of all broken equipment and products after testing. Unlimited cheap booze. Free subscriptions to Napster. Interesting applications please send resume and $500 application fee to our office. Submission of application does not constitute a guaranteed interview. We are an EOE except where noted.