In an article about the Sober worm currently making up 5 percent of email, Lisa Pickoff-White reports for United Press International comments by David Farber, considered by many to be the “Grandfather of the Internet,” who is Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University with secondary appointments in the Heinz School of Public Policy and the Engineering Public Policy Group. He retired as the Alfred Fitler Moore Professor of Telecommunication Systems at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also was Professor of Business and Public Policy at the Wharton School of Business and Faculty Associate of the Annenberg School of Communications. He is currently a member of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Technological Advisory Council and serves on the Advisory Council of the CISE Directorate of the National Science Foundation. In Jan. 2000, Farber was given a one year appointment as Chief Technologist for the FCC. Prior to his role at the FCC, he served on the U.S. Presidential Advisory Board on Information Technology:
“The current [Sober Virus] may not be [dangerous]. But the next one that looks like it could be deadly,” Farber told UPI. “Anything you didn’t put on your system is dangerous.”
People can protect their personal computers by setting up firewalls on routers and making sure they protect their wireless systems, Farber said. Password protecting a personal wireless network is one small step in the right direction. Being wary of e-mail attachments also is important.
While most viruses attack computers that run Microsoft operating systems, alternative systems are going to be attacked more often as they become more prevalent, Farber warned.
“People attack Microsoft for two reasons. The system has more vulnerabilities and because more people use it,” Farber said. “But, there are already viruses out there for Apple computers.” [Bold emphasis added by MacDailyNews]
Companies and individuals can protect themselves at the base level by routinely updating all their anti-virus and spyware software and upgrading their systems, no matter what type of computer they use, Farber said. “It’s an onerous process, but it must be done,” he said.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: There are zero Mac OS X viruses. Excluding Microsoft Word and Excel Macro Viruses, there were about 25 viruses total that affected the original or “classic” Mac OS. Apple CEO Steve Jobs held an “funeral” on May 6, 2002 for the classic Mac OS, as the operating system reached its “end of life.” Windows, at last count, had 97,467 viruses vs. 0 for Apple’s Mac OS X. Can someone so distinguished actually have said in an article published today that, “there are already viruses out there for Apple computers?” Where are theses viruses then, on a dusty floppy diskette from 1989 designed to infect System 6? There are zero viruses for Apple computers running Mac OS X. Is this article as it currently stands simply misinformation or is it disinformation?
And before you dive into semantics to mount a weak defense of Farber’s comment, keep in mind Farber’s “Apple computers” implicitly implies those computers that you can buy from Apple today, at the time of the quote, which means Mac OS X. It’s the same as anyone referring to a “Windows computer” becoming virus-infested means a recent version of Windows, not Windows 2.0. Otherwise, his statement would have even less meaning than it currently does, if possible.
Mac OS X delivers the highest level of security through the adoption of industry standards, open software development and wise architectural decisions. Combined, this intelligent design prevents the swarms of viruses and spyware that plague PCs these days: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/
“The Grandfather of the Internet” would do well to speak to the “Father of the World Wide Web,” Tim Berners-Lee who, during a lecture in 2003 at the Royal Society in London, revealed that he invented the World Wide Web using a NeXT computer or the forerunner of Apple’s Mac OS X. NeXTStep became the basis for Mac OS X when Apple bought NeXT. Next’s CEO and founder Steve Jobs is now CEO of Apple. Berners-Lee presented his lecture using Apple’s Mac OS X web browser Safari on a PowerBook, and referenced the Web’s potential by talking about the possibilities of iCal, Apple’s calendar program. There’s nothing sadder than a “father” estranged from his “son.”
Writers who contribute to UPI Perspectives are organized by desk: . Michael Marshall, editor in chief of UPI’s worldwide editorial operations, can be reached at 202-898-8000 or via e-mail at .
David Farber
Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy
Institute For Software Research International
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Office
412-268 5711
412-268-2338 (fax)
http://people.cs.cmu.edu/person/53751.html
http://people.cs.cmu.edu/faculty/index_F.html
More info: http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/pdavefarber.html
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With reporting like this, I bet UPI is going to experience their first Mac e-mail virus.
That happens when you write something stupid about the Mac and have millions of Mac users tell you.
Virus prevention is easy, though. Just don’t write something stupid about the Mac.
Pretzle logic
People attack Microsoft for two reasons. The system has more vulnerabilities and because more people use it,” Farber said. “But, there are already viruses out there for Apple computers.”
If you have an empty gun no mater who often you point it to and pretend to fire it at something you will not have any impact on the item you point it to as it is an empty gun. How often you use a Mac does not make it mover vulnerable
Should read:
no “matter how” often
show me…put one on my mac. I volunteer it. send it to me…i’ll install it.
are we gonna do this?
…let’s go…bring it.
me too!!! I want a virus!! Please!!
I miss my old PC virii… oh, the good ole days!!
My response:
Thank You!
I appreciate the information in Lisa Pickoff-White’s article warning that there are already viruses out there for the Mac, up to this point I was under the misinformation that there were in fact no viruses I was actually led to believe there were 97,467 for windows and none for the Mac, (that can’t be correct) more reporters should do this kind of in-depth research before they make baseless claims about the security and stability (ease of use, included applications, features not available on Windows until late 2006 ect.) of a platform before they publish the research.
Regards,
Poor Dave. Me thinks he is about to receive some e-mail : >
Anyone with a title like this just has to be full of BS.
Distinguished Career Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy.
He’s an influential bloke:
http://www.google.com/search?q="David+Farber"
but maybe his influence isn’t that good, “he shepherded through the merger of AOL and Time Warner”.
Often called the grandfather of the internet too, give me Al Gore any day.
Well, there are viruses that exist for the Mac. The issue is , there is simply no way to get these to populate, or have them flourish in the wild. So, his statement is the finest example of a misleading half-truth.
Make sure when you complain to point out that you didn’t just happen to read their article, otherwise they might take it as a sign of increased readership.
Instead point out that you came across it because it was posted as an example of shoddy journalism and another example of failing to check the facts. (Like the Newsweek debacle)
Remember: “You can never be completely worthless, you can always serve as a bad example.”
I knew it was bullshit that Apples are virus free!
I’m sticking with my Windows. Why bother switching to Apples when there are already viruses out for them, too?!
Like 95% of America, I believe everything I read and I’m easily impressed by fancy job titles.
If someone sends me a viris, that works, I will send them a $20 bill in a yellow envelope.
christiangenco@gmail.com
The people who have only used windows, choose to use windows.
The people who have used windows, and mac (and sometimes linux), choose to use mac.
That’s all the proof I needed.
The people who write articles against mac have only used windows, there should be some kind of law that says that no one can write anything negative about ANYTHING till they’ve tried it.
All us mac users have all tried windows, now it’s the journalists turn.
(note: I know that this isn’t 100% relevant with this story, but I just got the inspiration for writing it last night.)
Isn’t UPI owned by Sun Myung Moon?
The same Moon who thinks he is the messiah?
This is a copy of what I wrote to Mr Farber:
I have had Apple OSX for 3 years now, and have no viruses , spyware, etc. What are you talking about?
It has nothing to do with computer OS market share. If there were a virus for OSX, it would infect any two connected OSX computers. Someone who wrote a successful virus for OSX would become famous in the computer world , and get more job offers as a programmer than they could possibly respond to. Now THAT is a motivation.
15 year old kids can write Windows viruses with web downloadable virus kits, and that is because of how Windows was, or was not designed.
It is the weakness of the OS that matters.
Have a nice day.
Ken Heins
Dave’s response is interesting…
My question to him is at the bottom of this screed.
[I]
From: dave@farber.net
Subject: mac viruses and quote and apple pie
Date: May 20, 2005 8:07:50 PM EDT
To: bullyt@mac.com
Begin forwarded message:
From: David Farber <dave@farber.net>
Date: May 20, 2005 8:07:11 PM EDT
To: Ip <ip@v2.listbox.com>
Subject: mac viruses and quote and apple pie
What I think I said wss that macs are not being attacked since the windows system is a bigger easier target. I don’t believe I said there were existing wild viruses but the flood of messages I have gotten seem to say there CAN NOT be one. That I seriously doubt !!
While it may be hard to penetrate the os kernal it is not impossible and the os environment is an attractive target — browser/mail system etc.
But the yells are saying it is impossible. Again that I doubt. Better that I said I hate apple pie (or like Bush).
Dave
ps I run viros systems on my mac and do ALL updates etc.
Begin forwarded message:
From: David Titus <bullyt@mac.com>
Date: May 20, 2005 6:30:05 PM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Quote or Misquote ?
I just read the following from a UPI piece:
“As people get more mobile, they get more vulnerable,” Farber said. “Companies have to enforce that laptops are not for dual use. If they are used at home people are going to put little games on them and contaminate them. Companies have to examine any computer allowed into the building.”
While most viruses attack computers that run Microsoft operating systems, alternative systems are going to be attacked more often as they become more prevalent, Farber warned.
“People attack Microsoft for two reasons. The system has more vulnerabilities and because more people use it,” Farber said. “But, there are already viruses out there for Apple computers.”
Companies and individuals can protect themselves at the base level by routinely updating all their anti-virus and spyware software and upgrading their systems, no matter what type of computer they use, Farber said. “It’s an onerous process, but it must be done,” he said.
Please tell me why I’m missing out. I’ve been using a Mac since 1988. I don’t have any anti-virus programs running, I have no 3rd party spam filters, I have no spyware filters, nothing. And guess what I get about 1 spam a day using Apple’s Mail program. But I’m missing something – this extraordinary windows cesspool experience.
Would you please name the SPECIFIC virus that is attacking Apple computers.
I want to get the right prophalatic necessary to protect myself.
On May 20, 2005, at 6:14 PM, Mark Solomon wrote:
David,
You don’t know me from a bar of soap, but if I can just ask you a quick question…
Can you provide one single substantive piece of evidence that backs up the following quote from the Washington Times article (http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050520-031324-9828r.htm)
Farber said. “But, there are already viruses out there for Apple computers.”
I’m very confused, because as a Mac OS X user for the last four years and a Macintosh user since 1987, I don’t know of a single virus for Mac OS X except for a handful of Microsoft Office macro viruses.
Thanks in advance.
[/I]
his response is that it cannot be possible that macs are invulnerable to viruses?!
lfmao
DENIAL?!
I don’t think that qualifies as proof that ‘there are already Mac viruses out there’
jeffr there are no viruses for OSX and the Mac platform. If you’re using OSX there are no viruses. There has yet to be one that has been proven to touch the Mac in anyway using OSX.
As for Windows I think they’ve lost count how many viruses,trojans, and spyware there really are.
Just goes to show, you don’t have to know anything to be a writer.
Have Word with spell checker and grammar assistant and you too can be a professional.
I would respond to this information via e-mail and maybe even click on his website link to gander but this article coming from this prick deserves no attention. It’s an obvious fabricated lie motivated either to dissuade users from switching to Mac or to get more hits ($) on his website. This insignificant turd should avoid colleges since he doesn’t benefit from them; he taints them. Disinformation like this from a computer science and public policy specialist at Carnegie Mellon University is intolerable.
The people coming from Carnegie seem like empty vacuous-brained mental dimwits with this jag around. There should be laws in place to keep this Dave guy from the educational system we have is place. He treats information as badly as Fox News. I would think such a false statement as this coming from a computer scientist would be a tad bit embarrassing unless the outcome he is looking for is FUD.
No matter how I look at this, this man is not honest.
UPI should print a retraction. The quote was just wrong. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Do we think the Mac is invulnerable? NO! And it is total bullshit to try and switch the subject like that. It is just obvious scrambling to try and avoid having to admit making a major glaring error.
Someday there MAY be a Mac virus. And if or when (take your pick) there is, it will be dealt with speedily and efficiently to avoid as much damage as possible. But that will not change the FACT that OS X is MUCH MORE SECURE in its architecture and has the Mac Community watch dogging it to boot. So at this point, I think we can say with confidence that the Mac OS will ALWAYS be more secure, at least for the foreseeable future.
Just for fun let’s do the math. I have done this before but it is always a kick:
Right now the OS X could be classed as being INFINITELY more secure (97,467 divided by zero is infinity). If ONE OS X virus shows up it will only be 97,467 TIMES MORE SECURE. Even if the almost unthinkable happened and the situation was almost A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE and there were 974 OS X viruses out there, OS X would still be ONE THOUSAND TIMES BETTER OFF THAN WINDOWS.
Here is a good article on why the Mac will ALWAYS be more secure:
http://daringfireball.net/2004/06/broken_windows
Something else that was not mentioned on his long resume was that he sold lemonade outside of the Symantec Headquarters…
The man is in a pickle – if there is an OS X virus, he needs to identify so we can protect ourselves. If there isn’t one and he was misquoted, he needs to get the Wash. Times to make a correction. If he was quoted correctly and there is no OS X virus, admitting as such with such a vocal community in Macintosh owners and users will not do much to keep his reputation intact.
It may have been an honest mistake at best, and a plug for anti-virus software (which has no immediate purpose except to reduce the spread of Windows macro viruses for Windows PCs) at worst.
Farber said in the reply posted above “Better that I said I hate apple pie (or like Bush).” Well, that depends on why he hates apple pie or why he likes Bush. The devil is in the details. He gives no details for the viruses, apple pie or Mr. Bush.
MDN, the anti spam, critiquing ‘journalism’, as they make fun of it, or back it up, I don’t even have to go to the site, making people like Thurott and Lisa Pickoff-White, (I never go to the ‘full article’.. so rebellious I am)and their bank accounts not so fat, .. opps.
[[Just don’t write something stupid about the Mac.]]
Many MDN posters do it all the time.
[[I miss my old PC virii… oh, the good ole days!!]]
Ahhh the good ole days!!! Come to think of it, I’ve done much on my old PC: planned and started a business, created countless ads/graphics/photos/videos/documents/couple of websites/etc… Good ole days, indeed!!!
[[Anyone with a title like this just has to be full of BS.]]
A personal attack against someone you have knowledge of.. and your point is that he’s the one full of BS?!?!
[[So, his statement is the finest example of a misleading half-truth.]]
Seems that you infer he has an agenda against Apple. The article seemed to promote the notion that people take more steps to secure their computers, despite the OS.
[[The people who have used windows, and mac (and sometimes linux), choose to use mac. That’s all the proof I needed.]]
Proof you needed? Ummm you didn’t state a theory or question. What are you out to proove?
I have used Windows for years. One of my first computers was a Apple IIgs. I use Mac OS9 and OSX daily. I still prefer to use both platforms rather than one by itself. Why impose limits on yourself?
[[his response is that it cannot be possible that macs are invulnerable to viruses?!]]
Nothing in the world is risk-free. That’s one of the requisites for existence.
[[Just goes to show, you don’t have to know anything to be a writer.]]
You sayin’ this profesor guy don’t know nothin’?
[[No matter how I look at this, this man is not honest.]]
While posting this message, I could see the last statement of your post. Whew… you sure do love to sling the crap!
—
Right now, Max OSX is probably the most secure of PC operating systems. But keep in mind, not even Apple claims it is 100% safe as many posters portray.
Good night MDN.
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[[Just don’t write something stupid about the Mac.]]
Many MDN posters do it all the time.
[[I miss my old PC virii… oh, the good ole days!!]]
Ahhh the good ole days!!! Come to think of it, I’ve done much on my old PC: planned and started a business, created countless ads/graphics/photos/videos/documents/couple of websites/etc… Good ole days, indeed!!!
[[Anyone with a title like this just has to be full of BS.]]
A personal attack against someone you have knowledge of.. and your point is that he’s the one full of BS?!?!
[[So, his statement is the finest example of a misleading half-truth.]]
Seems that you infer he has an agenda against Apple. The article seemed to promote the notion that people take more steps to secure their computers, despite the OS.
[[The people who have used windows, and mac (and sometimes linux), choose to use mac. That’s all the proof I needed.]]
Proof you needed? Ummm you didn’t state a theory or question. What are you out to proove?
I have used Windows for years. One of my first computers was a Apple IIgs. I use Mac OS9 and OSX daily. I still prefer to use both platforms rather than one by itself. Why impose limits on yourself?
[[his response is that it cannot be possible that macs are invulnerable to viruses?!]]
Nothing in the world is risk-free. That’s one of the requisites for existence.
[[Just goes to show, you don’t have to know anything to be a writer.]]
You sayin’ this profesor guy don’t know nothin’?
[[No matter how I look at this, this man is not honest.]]
While posting this message, I could see the last statement of your post. Whew… you sure do love to sling the crap!
—
Right now, Max OSX is probably the most secure of PC operating systems. But keep in mind, not even Apple claims it is 100% safe as many posters portray.
Good night MDN.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />