So, Mac OS X is not that safe afterall??

obviously its only a question about time when we get our first virus... and of course I fear that time...

i have nothing else to say. :)

I'll believe it when I see it!

the iTMS backdoor isn't the same as a hole in OS X ...that's pretty much just reverse engineering going on there, not an exploit. (as far as I am aware anyway)

Sure Symantec is going to say this, why else would we buy thier software? I'm sure it is a matter of time, but this is like a raincoat salesman telling you a storm is comming.

I am of the view that the popularity/pervasiveness of Macs maybe directly linked to the emergance of viruses and trojans written specifically for OSX and other Mac related apps.

As Apple increases its market share of computers sold... it will reach a threashold after which we will see more viruses etc. So for the success of Apple, I actually wish and hope that Apple doesn't increase its marketshare.

Microsoft has given a lot of people good reson for attacking thier system, as well as left holes in their operating system open like swiss cheese. Even if/when OS X viruses start popping up, I think it will be a looong time before they reach the point that Window is in now.

... not worried... got my "sky" umbrella ready.

looks like many didn't like Symantec's move :D

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39192260,00.htm

osx is based on bsd, which (should) have similar security features to linux. I'm not a mac expert but a point of linux is that you can't access the root permission. this means that, you or others cannot install anything without expressly stating it is okay to do so. as far as i've read the only virii that have sucessfully invaded linux have been ones that were in controlled environs - virii that tested the boundaries of the os. I'd hope that both would be highly resistant to attacks, but at least if these two operating systems are relatives then the open source community will fight malevolent hackers...

hope that makes you sleep better.

well, there are tonns of Unix hack methods

have you guys read about that company that announced a 25K USD competition to write the first virus for OS X?

http://www.dvforge.com/virus.shtml

the issue is heating up. i'm guessing we gonna have the first virus before the end of this year. :(

The competition was pulled almost as soon as it was announced, though.

wise move. i guess there were as many hackers ready to do some DOS on the company's server if they were to keep the competition.

further developments on this case!

I think this is a good move from DVForge :)

http://www.dvforge.com/press.shtml

I really like this DVForge CEO.

"Agree with us, or, disagree with us, but we chose to make a stand against blind fear and idle threats, and to move the entire process forward so that everybody knows the reality."

And then...

"I still am at the point where I really want to actually see the gun that's been supposedly aimed at my head for four years."

I was actually in favor of the competition. I believe OS X is virus-free and that this competition would only serve to prove the fact - or if not, only to expand our knowledge about the weaknesses of OS X.

I think Apple should hold such a competition.