wako said:
only because nobody wants to code a virus for a Mac...
that's total FUD. It all goes down to the core foundations of how unix and windows handle user levels or permissions. In the case of windows there is such a thing as LUA (least user access (known as other names too)) which is incredibly buggy and practically unusable as it requires a lot of extra work to get it linked properly. Often it results in the user having to log out as the LUA and then logging in as the super user just to do simple tasks. Besides, windows comes default as the admin mode and only a power user would ever want, or be able to, set up a properly-configured LUA account.
Unix defaults to a LUA-type account. You never run as the super user (admin) unless you specifically enter in your password. This is the reason you have to type in your password in OS X when you make system changes or installs. In unix you type in SU in the shell (works in OS X terminal too) to gain this level of power, but you log out asap. No real damage can be done when running in user mode, so the system is generally safe. OS X core works off this same platform.
Not only is that a huge issue, but all *nix-based systems have specific permissions for every file. There are 3 types of permissions: User, group, Others. Each type has a read, write, execute setting and unless the file has given permission to something to write or execute to it, it cannot be changed. Therefore, no virus can touch files it doesn't specifically have permission to modify. Sure, you could write a sweet virus that trashes the hard drive and shows a gif of a dancing bunny on the screen, but good luck at getting a *nix system to ever let you run it without getting the user to specifically authorize it!
Also, OS X 10.4 is starting a new tech called Access Control Lists that allow much greater freedom in permission settings.
Windows does not have this security in place and cannot add it in without a total OS rewrite. They might get it right with Vista, but that'll still be a while.
Basically, from a professional programmer and Windows repair tech POV, it stops looking like security through obscurity and starts smelling like a trillion dollar mistake on Microsoft's hands. Too bad they made so much money...
That is the short technical explanation of why OS X is virus free. Something unforeseen may come up in the future, but the current ratio of 0:infinite is quite in favor of OS X!
Hope you believe it now!
