Comments on: For Mac security, communication is key

Apple's operating system has seen fewer bugs than Windows, but some say a recent flaw shows the tight-lipped company must communicate better on security and move faster to fix holes.

[jbelkin]

Infections Still a Theory on Mac?

Just like anyone could get ebola - but if you don;'t eat infected monkey, what are your odds?

Did any of the 25 million people macs get even a single malware/infection? Anyone actually on this planet actually have to deal with the consequences of the malware?

So, while we should be wary of ebola - if you're in the nice suburbs, you have much less less to worry about than those who live in neighborhoods (PC users) with infected monkeys running around.

[kxmmxk]

they just have to invent ways to slam Apple

So even when Apple's record is so far superior to windows, it's amazing, they still have to find soome way to spin it to slam Apple down.

A whole article about bad bad Apple, and a couple of lines about how MS is so much worse.

No comments about how secretive MS is. We've had dealing with MS at several companies I've worked for, and they never admit to anything. Usually, if you're lucky, you find a developer that you've dealt with before that will tell you on the QT what the problem is and the work around. But no one is supposed to know about the problem. So customers just keep getting screwed over.

But it appears that no matter how well Apple does, there are those in the industry, including here at CNET, that are just dying for Apple to fail. And they will do anything to try and help that along. How many times in the last 20 years have we heard that Apple was dead?? :)

Critique of CNET reporting

I agree with your criticism of CNET's reporting on the dubious issue of software vender openess. CNET's reporting has been highly selective and targeted almost exclusively at Apple.

Maybe worse are yellow-journalism CNET headlines. From the coverage and headlines, one is given the false impression that it is Mac OS that hosts the worms and viruses that flood firewalls with exploit attempts and denial-of-service attacks.

The open communication issue is a false one -- a red herring created with an agenda that is not in the best interests of OS security or of Mac OS users.

[olePigeon]

The marketshare has been debunked allready

Mac OS X doesn't have viruses because it's more secure than
Windows. That's all there is to it. The whole "Apple only has 5%,
so they're not as big a target" has been debunked by numerous
people, interestingly enough, the Apple bashing Dvorak himself.

The problem is that viruses can only really infect your home
folder, assuming you're stupid enough to type in your
administrative password. Viruses also can't effect your system
unless you sudo or log in as root, which is disabled by default.
You either have to sudo through the terminal or enable Root
through NetInfo manager. Either way, it's really hard to write
viruses for Mac OS X (or UNIX for that matter.)

Apple security methods are correct

Apple's approach to OS security is correct. The self-appointed "experts" are uncategorically wrong. If Apple were to do as @Stake's vice president recommends, it would be a disservice to MacOS users. Apple's outstanding, life-cycle evaluation of Mac OS security is unique in the personal computer industry.

Mac OS users don't "make a decision" about software updates from Apple. Apple updates are rare, and security updates are clearly identified. @Stake's vice president's statement about what Apple thinks about its customers' habits is a false assumption and not based on reality.

Supposed security "experts" would have Apple report in detail to those who identify security flaws. This is not good security practice. Apple generally identifies security updates. Apple would be wrong to announce "progress" or the future date for the repair of a security flaw, thereby identifying a target date for attackers. To do so is nonsense and only incites those intent on exploiting a flaw to intensify their efforts.

It is Apple's responsibility to analyze and evaluate the severity of security problems, and to release updates as required. Misdirected critique by the current batch of "experts" is most indicative of spoiled children who aren't allowed to play in their neighbor's pool.

Apple is wise

It is so smart not to give imformation to nasty security company,
bacause they are making virus for their profit.
If there is no security hole, their business is over.
They are pretending the good company but in fact they are
hiring hackers.