“The iPhone — Apple’s first cellphone — could leave the company facing problems it has never dealt with once the device is launched in the U.S., according to security, mobile communications and computer experts who spoke with CBC News Online,” Saleem Khan reports for CBC News.
Khan reports, “The Cupertino, Calif.-based company may have to contend with attacks on its Mac OS X operating system software that it has previously escaped because relatively few computer users work on Apple machines, according to David Marcus of McAfee Inc.’s Avert Labs.”
Khan reports, “Because malware authors prefer to hit as many victims as possible with their creations, the roughly nine to 10 per cent of worldwide computer users who use Apple’s Mac OS operating system have been largely unscathed by viruses, exploitation of vulnerabilities and other malicious attacks and malware that have plagued Microsoft Corp.’s rival Windows operating system over the years, Marcus said.”
MacDailyNews Take: Specious gobbledygook. The “Security via Obscurity” myth is alive and well at McAfee, we see. Would David Marcus please explain to us, if his theory is correct, why there exists a proof-of-concept virus called “Podloso” that targets only Apple iPods with Linux installed – whose user-base is infinitesimally miniscule?
There are 23+ million Mac OS X users currently. Mac OS X has been in use for over 6 years. Mac OS X is not “obscure” at all, so the “Security via Obscurity” myth can’t stand up to even the most basic application of logic. You cannot be secure due to obscurity when you aren’t obscure and, as we see from the “Podloso” virus, you can be totally obscure and still be insecure. Shouldn’t an antivirus peddler be able to recognize such obvious facts? Perhaps he does. Maybe he’s just trying to sell AV software by propagating illogical FUD?
Khan continues, “…An executive at computer security firm Symantec Corp. — a McAfee rival — said he does not foresee security problems in the near future.” Paul Miller managing director for mobile security at Symantec said that “speculation about the risks Apple might face with the introduction of the iPhone could be seen as irresponsible. ‘It would be ill-advised for any group to make statements,’ he said.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Blaine B” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: There are zero-percent (0%) of viruses for the Mac OS X platform that should, logically, have some 10-16% of the world’s viruses if platforms’ install bases dictate the numbers of viruses. The fact that Mac OS X has zero (0) viruses totally discounts “security via obscurity.” There should be at least some Mac OS X viruses. There are none. The reason for this fact is not attributable solely to “obscurity,” it’s attributable to superior security design.
And yet another reason why these so called security companies like McAfee and Symantec will not get another dime of my money ever again.
Using OS X as its operating system, there is no reason why the built-in firewall and other securities wouldn’t also be included. In fact, the high level of security that UNIX inherently offers would make it far less prone to invasion than any other digital communication device; another good reason to buy the iPhone.
I can’t believe some people, what do they do to think up this crap. They need help.
David Marcus? Khan? What’s with all the Star Trek II references?
What other phone could offer this…
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/
Bring it on, asswipe.
Love,
Smuggy McSmugster
(P.S. Watch the tune change from McAfear and Some Man Tits when the iPhone remains unscathed. They’ll claim it’s the phone’s limited functionality or some such B.S.)
Th only threat the iPhone might have is an angry mob if supply can’t keep up with demand.
The first in-the-wild, self-replicating, autonomous virus for the Mac platform will generate OVERWHELMING, INCOMPARABLE publicity for its author, somthing this reporter (Saleem Khan?) knows all too well.
His specious “obscurity” argument is but a pathetic attempt to explain away Microsloth’s criminal ineptitude in OS design. Period.
P.S. I sure am glad I can get my size 34W dresses through MacDailyNews. That’s a relief.
“Does Apple’s Mac OS X Face Virus Threat Due To iJerk?”
Khan reports, “The Cupertino, Calif.-based company may have to contend with attacks on its Mac OS X operating system software that it has previously escaped because relatively few computer users work on Apple machines
—
Why? If all software has to be screened through Apple (3rd party software) then Apple’s already nipped this in the bud. And gotten flamed for doing so. Why will there necessarily be viruses on iPhone?
” I sure am glad I can get my size 34W dresses through MacDailyNews”
must be some BIG man tits….
I don’t understand why people say b/c a lot less people use mac so therefore a lot less people will make viruses for it. Well.. seeing as it’s been more than 5 years since OSX…you would think that people will look at it as a “challenge” and want to BE the FIRST. Still hasn’t happened.
“Apple faces security threat with iPhone” is the title of this article, based apparently solely on MacAfee’s assertion that it is so. But why wasn’t the title “Allegation of iPhone security threat deemed irresponsible”? Well, which headline do you think would sell more copy?
Cynical of me? Oh, but I <b>am,/b> a cynic!
That should be am. Damn HTML code, one missing <! Thank God for Freeway Pro!
I know the anti-virus companies were worried about future business, but this is just pathetic FUD.
“The Cupertino, Calif.-based company may have to contend with attacks on its Mac OS X operating system software that it has previously escaped because relatively few computer users work on Apple machines, according to David Marcus of McAfee Inc.’s Avert Labs.”
And monkeys *may* fly out of my butt. ;P
No news here, move along.
Good to see the market share has gone up!
Leopard will be the most secure Mac OS release to date! No security problems here.
OK, so how come Apache HTTP Server, “the world’s most popular Web server software” is not hacked more than MS’s IIS?
Chrissy
You may want to have a doctor take a look at that. Or a Vet. You know, just in case.
C1: “And monkeys *may* fly out of my butt. ;P”
My uncle says “if buzzards had radios in their tails, there would be music in the air”
“Because malware authors prefer to hit as many victims as possible with their creations”
Not true. They go for the EASY target.
Kaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhnnnnnnnn!!!!!
Sorry had to be said.
I don’t understand…somebody help.
Macs do not have the mindshare of interest for virus-makers, potentially because they are uncommon, and we all know there are crappy boxes all over the place to encourage this belief that Macs are uncommon.
So why the heck would an evil-doer NOT want to make a virus for a platform like Windows.
Sure, Macs are resilient. Sure they may be (are) secure out of the box.
But – this logic isn’t all-flawed. Let’s triumph the security of the Mac platform, rather than kick everyone who thinks its all about obscurity.
…But bravo for kicking the security mob, MDN. They should know better.
The answer is no.
McAfee is worried about becoming obscure.
@ Beryllium…
Right there with ya –
(On a side note, isnt’ it infuriating when html syntax gets screwed up and you can’t change it after you click the “submit” button? Me, too…)
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
David Marcus of McAfee: “They could see malware they have never had to deal with.”
Macview: Kaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhnnnnnnnn!!!!!
Montgomery Scott: And if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a wagon.
Kahn is a creature of the CBC that has its head so far up Ballmer’s ass he had to regurgitate the BBC.
Just watch for the buzzwords – ‘could’ ‘may’ ‘might’… It’s the same language they use for snake oil, psudo-science, quack medicine, etc. The sky “might” fall tomorrow. Better stock up on insurance.
-c
Here’s the feedback I sent to CBC.ca:
This article is absolutely ridiculous.
Mac OS X, with it’s core UNIX underpinnings is inherently more secure than Windows.
Mac OS X has been commercially available for 6 years and there have been ZERO viruses, ZERO spyware and ZERO malware that have attacked it.
MacAfee writes and SELLS virus software. McAfee regularly releases fabricated FUD (Fear Uncertainty Doubt) laden press releases to to frighten users of Mac OS X and potential users of Mac OS X in order to sell more copies of their software.
Please do some background research before allowing yourselves to be used as a marketing tool by an historically deceptive company.
Oh, I thought this was a serious article for a second.
Next.
Interview with a hacker:
Question: so why haven’t you created a virus for the OS X.
Answer: Well, it’s only been out six years. I just haven’t gotten ’round to it yet. It’s on my “to do” list. Somewhere.
Question: Don’t you think it would make an excellent target:
Answer: Nah. Why would I bother? Only 24 million of ’em ain’t there. Can’t make no money on that paltry lot.
Question: But wouldn’t it help you build a reputation. You know. First to do it and all.
Answer: What? Why’d I do that. We have no egos. Don’t want no fame nor reputation. Besides. Who’d want to be the first to crack Virgin territory like the OS X. What’s the fun in that.
This is CBC News • IN DEPTH / Technology.
My name is Saleem Khan, I am a Khanadian.
Here’s what I find amusing
How does anyone KNOW what virus writer’s, malware writers, and people of this ilk PREFER?
Did they do a reliable focus group of eastern european script kiddies? So much of articles like this is based on pure conjecture it’s a wonder any thinking editor would let it go out…idiots.
TT: Huge. Thank Cosmo for the Bro.
My barber says I need a haircut every day ….in the last 5 years I”ve gotten over 1800 haircuts and spent over $18,000. He is an authority ..I mean, he should know. Likewise, Mr. Marcus of McAfee shouldn’t be questioned like he is here. Afterall, he is an authority …. like my barber.
“The Cupertino, Calif.-based company may have to contend with attacks on its Mac OS X operating system software that it has previously escaped because relatively few computer users work on Apple machines, according to David Marcus of McAfee Inc.’s Avert Labs.”
Right. Only 25 million Macs. Just a drop in the bucket. Not worth bothering about. Right.
Symantec and McAfee see the future of computing, and they don’t see themselves in it.
With more and more people switching to OSX…the billion dollar industry that is virus protection etc…is going to take a big hit.
It’s all about money.
I thought they might say something like “more burglaries expected” “thief in cupertino tries to steal iPhone prototype”. I somehow just read “Does Apple face security threats due to iPhone?” My brain doesn’t even recognize the possibility of a OS X threat anymore… Think I’ll gonna get a reboot 😀
Many people have lamented the fact that Apple is keeping tight control on application development for the iPhone. I believe that security is one of the concerns – Apple is being conservative and maintaining tight control through initial iPhone deployment. As the iPhone is tested and proven in the real world, I believe that Apple will begin to open up the iPhone to developers while still maintaining sufficient control to ensure a high level of security.
Apple had enough of “unofficial” coding techniques in the classic MacOS days and will be much stricter with respect to valid coding techniques on the iPhone. But Apple will open the iPhone up to some degree because there is a lot of marketshare to be gained and money to be made by doing so.
Again, my opinion.
If “relatively few computer users work on Apple machines” Than why has McAfee Bothered writing software for the Mac?
My understanding is that as a software dev. if you can sell 100,000 copies of your programs you are doing extremely well so if you wrote a virus or whatever and it took out 23 million machines you would become pretty F***ing popular.
If the argument is that we are safe do to being obscure I’ll take that as long as we are safe.
This machine has been running sense June of 03 except for updates and one bad harddrive.
It stupid to assume that Mac OS X will never have a virus. I’m not saying OS X will have as many viruses as Windows but if the OS X market share was around 30-40%, they might have a few viruses around surely?!
Adobe, Intel and other big companies a planning on dropping support for the mac platform because the user base is small.
Personally i think a hacker will risk a lot less money and effort creating a virus(if it was as easy as with windows) or spyware for the mac platform than what these other companies spend developing products for the mac platform.
They currently don’t because they don’t want to waste their time.
“Specious gobbledygook.”
if someone could hack a mac and put a virus in it, it would have happened.
it has nothing to do with obscurity anymore, there are probably more than half of the buttwipe hackers out there trying as we speak.
because we all know, the one who infects the first mac will be infamous forever.and thats all that matters in that world.
so if it was at all possible, it would have happened already
face it all you naysayers,
mac is just great.
say it outloud
and deal with it.
MDN approach as in “UNapproachABLE”
one day the sky WILL fall.. but as far as I know a virus for any osx platform is pretty unlikely.
Kirk: ..Khaaaaahn…..!
David Marcus: Up yours, dad.
Will mobile virus writers even bother with less than 1% of the mobile marketshare the iPhone will have at 10,000,000 users??
25 million Mac users are insignificant.
CBC thinks Canada is God’s gift to the civilized world.
With only 33 million citizens, wouldn’t Canada be insignificant as well?
CBC is also impressed with anyone who gives billions to third world dictators. That would explain the love for Billy’s Microsoft.
Wow tell it like it is Big Al. Put some international politics that you know f**k all about in there as well. Nice.
There are more Mac users in the world than Aussies. Oh, wait, Australia is insignificant too.
When are we going to get some news instead of this regurgitated speculation? Come on MDN I’m bored of your recycled stories.
Oh! No! I just bought an anti-virus program for my iphone from Macafee!!! Now they tell me it doesn’t work!!!!!!!!!!
FUD! FUD! FUD! FUD!