Consumer Reports does their readership a disservice, says viruses target Apple Macs

61 Comments

“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

Advertisements:
• The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music & video experience on the go. From $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.00.
• The New iMac G5. Built-in camera and remote control. From $1299. Free shipping.
• Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using your dial-up service. $49.00.

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

61 Comments

  1. Sure I got a virus’s on my Mac

    But it was a Windows virus, a Javascript virus, and a Office virus. Not a Mac OS X virus.

    ClamXav got rid of it.

    There is spyware for the Mac too, Spectorsoft, keystroke loggers and even rootkits (Opener)

    There has been trojans for Mac OS X as well, so don’t run a app off P2P networks. Don’t give anything you admin password that you don’t 100% trust. Don’t trust apps on music cds. (fsck U SONY)

    Security through obscurity is a myth propogated by M$ because they had no answer yet for Mac OS X, but now they do (Vista).

    I only got one virus in 21 years of using Mac’s and that was 16 years ago.

    Mac’s are about 99% of the time 100% secure which is a lot better than ‘Doze.

    Want to hardne Mac OS X even further? READ!

    http://packetstormsecurity.nl/mac-osx/050819-securing-mac-os-x-tiger.pdf

    Clone your boot drive and keep it disconnected, c boot from Mac OS X install disk and select Disk utility erase w/zero any contaminated drives. Hook up your clone and reverse clone.

    Reply

  4. Does Consumer Reports actually believe that it is the processor that is the target of viruses?…

    Consumer Reports writes some odd things, but this one is really out there! They’re either ignorant in the extreme or using FUD to sway people away from Macs by loosly associating the Intel-based Macs with the vulnerabilities of Windows PCs.

    Reply

  5. Ignorance is a common affliction, the Knowledge of OSX is growing, “what you’ve never had a virus, how?” I answer, abnegation from “Smallflacid (Microsoft)” operating systems and loving OSX…

    Reply

  9. Consumer Reports is sloppy with its use of the word “target”. Viruses target every computer on the web probing for openings. The word they should have used is “breach”.

    Reply

  10. I’m pretty sure they meant that once people start emulating windows on their Macintels, which as you all know Apple said they won’t prevent, mac users may become more susceptible to viruses. And also, if more people buy the macintels more viruses will show up.

    I mean, hey, I’m all for the idea that Mac OSX is inherently more secure, but only an idiot would assume it’s invulnerable.

    Reply

  11. I ran ClamXav again and discovered a couple of Phishing Emails that contained Worms and a couple more Spam Emails that also contained virusses that affect Non-Mac machines. So I can say that indeed I did find malware on my Mac (reference Consumer Reports). But did they directly affect my systems? No. They were hidden attachments in Emails designed for Windows machines.

    And this thread is topical regarding CR.

    What it boils down to is that at least 20% of Mac folks use some kind of anti-malware app and sure enough, they found malware on their machines. Ergo according to CR, 20% of Mac systems had malware on board.

    Okay, now come up with some flippant analogy so we can laugh?

    Reply

  12. “Are Consumer Reports really helping their readers choose…with this nonsense?”

    CR is irrelevant. Supermarket tabloids are more credible.

    “It’s too soon, to know, however, whether new Macs will be more vulnerable to attack once Apple begins its switch to Intel processors”

    Heh. Both FUD and a technical impossibility in the same sentence. Who writes this stuff, Microsoft??

    MW: poor. As in how CR should be ranked.

    Reply

  15. “Okay, now come up with some flippant analogy so we can laugh?”

    Try this: Using CR’s logic, testers of Brand X of a car should lower their ratings because Brand X got dirty from oil that leaked from a Brand Y. Never mind that Brand Y is a Valdez, Brand X must somehow be vulnerable for getting dirty! OK maybe this analogy isn’t the funniest, but it’s just as absurd. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />

    Windows malware is the oil slick of the Internet. It’s poison to PCs (which help add to the pool), and harmless road grime to Macs.

    Consumer Reports is a good publication, for fiction anyway.

    Reply

  16. Anyone know how to send them POLITE feedback about their errors?

    CR has not had a reputable personal computer division since the late 80s, if ever. I stopped my subscription to them back in the 80s when the did their fist Mac versis DOS comparison and they “showed” Macs as 2x to 3x slower for even things like MS Word and Excel tasks. I wrote a very long letter detailing their errors and stopped my subscription. Never even thought about going back. (Quite a while later, a friend showed me their fist Mac versus Windows evaluation, and CR had the temerity to claim that the Windows interface [pre Win-95 mind you] was more intuitive than the Mac.)

    The problem with CR is that there are people out there (I’ve met a few) that live and die by CR’s ratings. A huge, POLITE write in effort might change their stance, but I doubt it. They have not changed in over 15 years. Why would they change now?

    Reply

  18. Oh Rainy Day where ever did you HEAR that one! Oh it’s just _hysterical_ and so very _original_ too!!! Oh you are a funny one. You ought to take that on the road!!!

    Yeah it doesn’t make sense, I mean, why woudl consumer reports use 1,000-to-1, does it just sound better? Why not a million-to-1 or pi-to-1 as long as they are making up ratios.

    Reply

  19. CR has been anti Apple from the get go ….I have never read a positve, knowledgeable review about Apple products from their rag

    There are some hard core PC’ers there who make sure the bias stays intact ….

    Reply

  21. “Whether you opt for a Windows PC or a Mac, you should use antivirus, firewall, and antispyware programs.”

    We’re in deep shite here; I can’t find an antispyware programme for my Macs!! What shall I do?

    Oh, this poor world haunted by mythmakers…

    Reply

  23. You want recommendations for decent gear from Consumer Reports?

    Sure, if you want a low-end lawn mover, washing machine or recliner, they’re your source!

    CR has NEVER given Macs a fair and square review.

    Reply

  25. I have used ClamXav for a year now, I think:) I actually just ran an update of it. But thanks for the info and hopefully there will be others which will find it and use it. We need to protect our Windows-friends:)

    My input there was meant as an ironic comment as ClamXav is anti-virus to my knowledge, not antispyware…
    I might be wrong but I do not think there exist any antispyware application of the Mac OS X. What would it do? Just sit there and wait and wait…?

    Reply

  30. Not just emulation, but if I run WINE which will allow MacOS/Intel to run Windows apps natively, the question is will WINE allow Windows malware to run as well?

    I suspect not, but those of you who are dismissing the possibility out of hand without due investigation have been drinking too much Cupertino Kool-Aid. Consumer Reports is correct to note caution in that regard.

    Reply

  31. CR’s reviews of audio equipment, particularly speakers, are equally ridiculous. All they do is measure the frequency response, which is kind of like measuring the color of a car’s paint and proclaiming all the blue ones winners. Some of the worst trash got their highest ratings.

    Problem with CR is they think everything can be quantified. Well, even if they were right, they sure as hell don’t know what to measure.

    Reply

  33. Ok I have had something happen today that made me nervous. If you don’t have Powerpoint on your system pps files don’t load properly and end up looking like giberish in Safari. I file usually takes about 2 minutes to “clear” and if you are lucky you won’t have to restart Safari. Well something similar happen at a less than dubious site today, Lots of chinese charaters and my hard drive went nuts for a couple of minutes. I tried to force a restart of Safari, no change so I forced a retart of the computer and that stopped it. The last time somthing like that happened I was running XP and I had to do a complete format. Thank you OSX.

    MW day. I hate the thought of it but we will all be scrambling to Norton and others when it does happen.

    Here is a pps file if you havn’t tried to download one. Elchinero has some great aircraft videos btw http://www.elchineroconcepts.com/Wally118.pps

    Reply

  34. Please elaborate, I don’t remember any “Phantom Update”. A Google search only turns up an iPhoto update which was mistakenly released early.

    The URL handler issue was fixed by the Mac community in less than 24 hrs, Apple followed up within a couple of weeks, no exploits were reported.

    I don’t think that anyone believes that an exploit could never happen, just that it isn’t particularly likely, and definately less risky than CR’s incorrect ratio of “1000 to 1”. That statement amounts to FUD. It isn’t supported by the facts.

    Reply

  38. I just sent consumer report a terse email outlining my displeasure at their erroneous reporting. You can also show your displeasure at their website.

    http://custhelp.consumerreports.org/cgi-bin/consumerreports.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

    Here is the text I submitted to Consumer Reports.
    ——–
    I recently read your article “Buying a computer 12/05” (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/computers/buying-a-computer-1205/windows-or-macintosh.htm).
    This article contains many erroneous statements about macintosh computers in regards to their susceptiblity to viruses. I am not sure where to begin so I will just give you a link to a Mac Daily News website article that points out better than i ever could many of the errors in your reporting. In summary there are no viruses for the Apple OS X operating system. There were a few for Apple operating systems used a decade ago. . .Currently the ratio is NOT 100-1 it might be 100 000- 0. Let me reiterate . .there are no viruses for OS X.

    http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/7877/

    Your poor performance in fact-checking is a diservice to your readers. Your readers are subsricbers that pay money for the information you provide. You are obligated to do a better job in the area of computer reporting than you are currently doing.
    ———-

    Reply

  39. “CR has been anti Apple from the get go ….I have never read a positve, knowledgeable review about Apple products from their rag”

    I dont get the mag, but my stepdad does and I usually skim through it when i visit. Actually they ahve had a lot of pro-Mac articles over the last couple years. The problem is, despite the fact that the general tone of the article is very positive, they still screw up the details and miss the mark on specifics. They had an article within the last year title 54,000 reasons to buy a Mac and it was because there were 54000 viruses on Windows machines.

    I dont remember what they said about the Mac side virus-wise. I get bored reading how great Macs are because I already know it so I skimmed most of the article.

    Now CNet on the other hand. Thats a media outlet that seems to have Mac bashing in their corporate mission statement.

    Reply

  40. Here’s an email I sent to Consumer Reports:

    Thankyou for a useful and interesting report on buying a Computer. However, there are a few inaccuracies in your “Windows or Macintosh” and Security sections that result in somewhat less than balanced report.

    The “Windows or Macintosh” section mentions that the ratio of viruses targeting Windows vs Mac OS X is 1000-to-1. Although this seems impressive, the ratio is considerably more extreme being of the order of 140,000 to 0. As Kelly Martin, the content editor for Symantec’s publication SecurityFocus
    has said in April 2005: “There are no viruses on OS X — not a single one…
    Just as Windows users have become accustomed to 140,000 viruses, Apple users
    have become accustomed to none.”
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/21/apples_big_virus/

    You cannot in all conscience include the 60 or so bits of malware that targeted the old Classic Mac OS 9 which do not affect the modern Mac OS X (which is almost as different an architecture as Windows XP is from the Mac). Unlike viruses for earlier versions of Windows (eg Win 95) which can and do affect Windows XP, Mac OS 9 viruses cannot harm Mac OS X which ships with every new Mac (and has done so for 5 years now). The Classic environment has not been bundled with OS X for quite a while now.

    Your report also mentions that “Viruses and spyware are also far less likely to target Macs than Windows PCs”. This statement again while positive to the Mac platform also ignores how extreme the contrast is – there are *still* no reported instances of spyware or adware that work on the Mac.

    Here are the raw statistics for your information:

    Microsoft Windows:
    Viruses and Worms = 140,000 (Symantec Security Focus)
    Spyware and Adware programs = 78,000 (http://www.pestpatrol.com)
    Burrowers = 40 (http://www.pestpatrol.com)
    80% of PCs infected with spyware (webroot.com)
    Last year (2004) alone:
    – 500 new Trojans (http://www.pestpatrol.com)
    – 500 new keyloggers (http://www.pestpatrol.com)
    – 1,287 new adware apps (http://www.pestpatrol.com)
    – 7,360 new viruses and worms (symantec.com)

    Mac OS X:
    Viruses and Worms = 0
    Spyware programs = 0
    Adware = 0
    Keyloggers = 0
    Burrowers = 0
    Trojans = 3 (symantec.com)
    Last year (2004):
    – 1 Rootkit (symantec.com)

    When you look at the actual data, it becomes pretty obvious that with zero
    worms, viruses, spyware or adware recorded targeting it, the statement
    “fewer viruses and spyware” sounds like a glaring misdirection. Mac OS X remains the safest, pest-free OS by a far larger margin than you imply, a fact which would get much larger attention in a more accurate report.

    Note that Trojans can’t spread by themselves – they are bits of code that
    pretend to be something innocuous and need to be downloaded and opened by an
    authorised user. In the case of the three targeting Mac OS X, two are
    harmless while the third deletes a user’s home directory if run by that
    user.

    Note also the Rootkit discovered on a couple of OS X machines is a set of
    scripts that requires root access to be turned on (turned off by default on
    all Macs). The hacker then also needs to know the root password and the
    malware has no mechanism of spreading and infecting other computers by
    itself.

    Note that 37 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X noted last year (which were
    promptly patched by Apple) does not constitute “increased attacks on OS X”
    as some commentators have stated as no attacks using any of these
    vulnerabilities have been recorded. Security firm Mi2g states: “Mac OS X
    and BSD Unix are the “world’s safest and most secure 24/7 online computing
    environments.”
    http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/m
    i2g/press/190204_2.php

    John Gruber has a useful article on why Windows suffers so much malware:
    http://daringfireball.net/2004/06/broken_windows

    However, no software can be perfect and it would be foolish to say there
    won’t eventually appear some malware targeting the 15 million+ OS X users
    out there – however, today is still not that day. Mac OS X has been sitting
    untouched for 5 years now pretty much without blemish which speaks to a very
    impressive security story even if/when some effective malware appears. This is something your clients should be hearing more about if they are going to make balanced decisions about which computer to buy.

    Thanks for your time.

    -Mart

    Reply

  44. Consumer Reports is probably counting viruses and such from Mac OS 9 and older, since there were about 70 or so, which is inline with the 80,000 or so viruses available for Windows, which probably has more viruses and other malware than actual software I suspect.

    Reply

  46. DudeMac, you have a point, but they should have added that OS X has zero viruses, it is noteworthy… Not mentioning it is as bad as lying about it.

    By the way the MP3concept trojan doesn’t work anymore since Tiger, and anyway it couldn’t go very far since it needed to be in a zip or sit file to be transmited. Tiger forces .app extensions to be shown, Safari warns you when you download an application, and the Finder warns you when you start an app for the first time. Also, you cannot drag an application into the iTunes icon unless you hold some modifier keys, so that would give away the fact that its an app.

    Also, Windows Macro viruses (Word/Excel) could only affect OS 9 and obviously Windows.

    Reply

  47. >>Not just emulation, but if I run WINE which will allow MacOS/Intel to run Windows apps natively, the question is will WINE allow Windows malware to run as well?

    In theory, of course WINE could run a Windows virus on a Mac. However, in practice, WINE is still very much beta and tends to have to be adapted to work on a program-by-program basis. Therefore, its immature state would probably/possibly mean that the virus couldn’t run. However, as WINE matures then it will become more and more likely. That said, most Windows viruses are designed to attack Windows-specific system files which won’t, of course, exist on the Mac.

    Reply

  48. You have got to be kidding.

    They say 10,000 to 1 for viruses between platforms (PC vs. Mac) and you’re saying that they can’t even say that?

    Can you say ‘bias?’

    On second thought, why the hell am I even wasting my time writing this comment?

    Reply

  50. There are several sources that estimate that there are over 100000 Windows viruses. If the ratio of Windows to Mac viruses were 1000 to 1, then there must be 100 Mac viruses. But even if you count the old Mac viruses that won’t affect OS X, there are not even close to a hundred. And unless you can name one, there are no Mac OS X viruses.

    Reply

  51. 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!)

    Reply

  52. 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.

    Reply

  54. 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!

    Reply

  55. 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.’

    Reply

  56. 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…

    Reply

  58. 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.

    Reply

  60. “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.

    Reply

  61. 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.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.