Traditionally, the assumption was that the better graphic user interface was found on the Macintosh platform, while the more talented writers of viruses and Trojan horses devoted their attention to Windows. Sounds like a livable arrangement to me (I do prefer the Mac).
Alas, the real world does intrude, and as a frequent Windows XP user, I have to say that I find it pretty good, and even pretty Mac-like. I also have to pass on word, from this Washington Post story, that Macs aren't invulnerable to malware, either:
A rare piece of malicious software targeting Apple's Mac OS X operating system -- instead of the more common victim, Microsoft Windows -- has been spotted online and appears to be spreading. Like many computer viruses, the bug lures people to click on it by posing as something else, in this case a file containing a picture of the next-generation Apple operating system.
The malicious software causes computer programs to crash and transmits itself through an instant message program for the Mac called iChat. To get infected, users must download the file, called "latestpics.tgz," and install it on their computer. Infected computers will then automatically attempt to send the program to all contacts on the infected user's "buddy list."
Now, I'm almost tempted to say that by now, anyone who opens an attachment from a source they're not familiar with deserves what they get -- almost, but not quite. Nobody, no computer user, deserves that kind of treatment. Fortunately, it appears that Windows still attracts the virus writers and Macs are still being attacked by the B-team:
One software expert who examined the bug's code yesterday downplayed its author's programming abilities as "lame."
"Whoever wrote this isn't particularly skillful," said Andrew Welch, president of Ambrosia Software Inc., a firm that develops programs for Macs. "It's not a very viral virus, I'll put it that way."
Welch examined the code and tested it on a few computers. He said the "malware" failed to work on most of the machines he tried to infect with it.
Heh, I've known programmers like that in the corporate world...
Vincent Weafer, senior director of Symantec Corp. security response, called the bug "a proof of concept."
"Many Mac users feel they don't have to worry about viruses and following security best practices," he said. "I think we're absolutely likely to see a lot more attacks."
"Proof of concept." Ah, so there appear to be, ahem, PC viruses on Macs...
But Vincent Weafer is correct, I fear: there is more to come for Mac users. Probably for iPod users, too.
I'm not the most sophisticated computer user, but I did spend a few hours last week with a corporate IT guy, who gave me the following pointers, some obvious, some new to me:
1. Keep your anti-virus software updated.Posted by Craig Ceely at February 19, 2006 05:11 PM
2. Install anti-spyware software and keep that updated, too.
3. Run both anti-virus and anti-spyware programs frequently.
4. Windows users: never, ever close a pop-up window by clicking that 'X' in the upper right corner: too many of them have been reprogrammed by malware writers. Instead, right-click and use the "Close" command.
5. As much as you can, avoid gliding your mouse over advertisements, pop-up or otherwise. Far too many of them are not simply innocent ads.