It's hopeless: my company's computer guy spreading Mac FUD

[LaserKun]

> Macs are vulnerable, but you shouldn't have to worry much about viruses
> compared to being on a PC. Adding to above posts and the article, the issue
> isn't that Macs are invulnerable, but more that hackers don't really care to
> make viruses for Macs. Hackers want attention. They want everyone to see what
> they can do. Reports typically say that Mac users make up between 3-5% of all
> computer users. Knowing that, a hacker who wants the most attention knows they
> won't get it by attacking Macs. The biggest security you have in a Mac is the
> lower profile. It's the exact same reason we (Tech Services) recommend AVG
> Anti-Virus to PC users. It can be compromised, but the big boys are Norton and
> McAfee, so the hackers will target those.
>
> Mac has some kind of anti-virus built in... at least I thought it did. I
> remember some icon that looks like a purple shield. Having that anti-virus
> program shouldn't slow you down and give you plenty of protection in case the
> worst should happen.

The above was posted yesterday on our in-house tech forum in answer to one of our Mac user's questions. I had answered already, but the tech (IT) guy replied with the above. I give up!! (not really - I replied to him privately - pray for me!)

[papercup]

You want I should beat him up?

[LaserKun]

Heh, heh.... no, he's a nice guy, if a little disillusioned...

[deckeda]

Only a public, polite response will out the IT guy and help the other user. Forget private "office politics" -type conversations.

[OWC Larry]

Hackers do care about Macs - maybe not as many, but for sure - making a real Mac Virus would be a heck of a badge for one of those types to wear.

Regardless of why there are no Mac viruses to speak of... doesn't change the key fact - there simply aren't Mac viruses and that is what's important. If it Macs were that vulnerable - there would be too.

Not sure what 'purple shield' thing he's referring to.

[Ken Sp.]

That was Virex that was a "bonus" for .mac subscribers.

[SKYLANE]

What was your response to your IT guy?

[Seacrest]

A "hacker" who would successfully crack the Mac's security with a widespread, easily propagated virus would gain a ton of notoriety.
However, what real malware writers want these days is easy money, so they write malware that targets the platform that's EASIEST to exploit and which offers the most bang for the byte. Windows malware gets them bots and successful phishing attacks galore, so THAT's why it's targeted more than Macs.

[samintx]

I don't think I have a purple shield on my macs. Do I need one? where do I get it? I want one !

[incognegro]

[quote Seacrest]A "hacker" who would successfully crack the Mac's security with a widespread, easily propagated virus would gain a ton of notoriety.
However, what real malware writers want these days is easy money, so they write malware that targets the platform that's EASIEST to exploit and which offers the most bang for the byte. Windows malware gets them bots and successful phishing attacks galore, so THAT's why it's targeted more than Macs.
That's what I say.

If it's so easy to write a virus or trojan that will bring down thousands of Macs, why hasn't someone with a grudge against or hatred of Macs done it yet?