Heck, most tools to run various intrusions to run against windows, are for open source operating systems such as Linux and other Unix-like computer operating systems. People haven’t been concentrating on Unix code for malicious purposes. I ran into this “MAC” myth at my last job. The “MAC” guy argued that this macdefender program was not a “virus” because it didn’t encroach itself based upon a “security patch” or an email.

This is ignorance. It was, I believe what is a social engineered virus. It required the user to install it. However, it’s purpose was to attack the OS. The truth stands behind the fact that the more Apple comes on top, and– the more people are using the systems, the more Hackers will attack it. Right now it’s just starting to gain the popularity, that no one saw coming. Business are still mainly using Windows, however, they are now starting to combine Macs into their networks. Hackers will find this an enticing avenue– (to gain “credibility” or whatever it is they are breaking into) it will be the next big thing. NO COMPUTER ON A NETWORK IS SAFE. It’s all a game.

Just my thoughts.

(I remember Apple giving away a free copy of Virex anti-virus for OS X as a benefit of having a .Mac account with them, for example. But practically everyone who tried it wound up removing it after a month or two due to compatibility problems it created.)

I’m sure Macs will have more malware problems going forward, since the platform is starting to enjoy enough popularity to generate some interest among virus writers. But there are several good reasons I don’t think the problem will ever come close to what Windows users have to deal with. Primarily, OS X is a Unix-based OS where the regular user doesn’t use the OS all the time as a “root” user with unlimited access to all aspects of the system. Malware still has to request permission to install itself, meaning users have to be tricked into accepting the request. This is something Microsoft started doing too with Windows Vista and now 7, except with their platform not being based on a Unix core, they’re more susceptible to hackers writing code that works around their security system.

The fact that Apple has never really expressed interest in making Macs running OS X a “dominant platform” is another. Many times now, they’ve repeated the idea that their business model isn’t about outselling the number of copies of Windows in use. They’ve never really had more than about a 10% market-share. Selling Macs as 1 out of every 10 personal computers anyone ever purchases is PLENTY to keep a very successful business, but it still means a lot of virus developers are going to skip it deciding it’s not worth their effort to work on it vs. making the next big Windows virus.

They existed even back then. But people are just silly about what they want to hear and believe sometimes.