Apple Updates Mountain Lion Developer Preview With New Security Features

[brdeveloper]

People like me care, and this guy obviously. I feel his pain. Reading an endless amount of blogs, it does get tiresome to hear the same tired, misused language over and over again, most often because those using it think it makes them sound cool, so we don't figure out they're not some unemployed videogame addicted geek living in their parent's basement, which makes it a, you know dude, an EPIC FAIL. Whoever invented using "fail" as a noun should be shot - along with the person who invented, "my bad."

This is linguistic prejudice. English is a global language these days and regional biases are common. Particularly, I usually write my sentences with a portuguese-influenced syntax and I probably prefer using nouns inherited from latin rather than saxon ones.

English is a language which tends to simplify syntax and semantics and maybe this is what make english a de-facto worldwide idiom.

For example, in portuguese, conjugating the verb fail in simple present would be:

Eu (I) falho (fail)
Tu (Thou - deprecated) falhas (failest (??) - deprecated)
Você (You) falha (fail)
Ele/Ela (He/She/It) falha (fails)
Nós (We) falhamos (fail)
Vós (Ye - deprecated) falhais (failest (??) - deprecated)
Vocês (You - plural) falham (fail)
Eles/Elas (They) falham (fail)

So, english language does a simplifying work faster than other languages and I find it nice because we have an easy-to-learn protocol for communicating worldwide. English is what Esperanto or French tried to be in the past.

----------

I doubt it. Been using Macs for three years and I have had zero viruses/malware. Can't say the same for my Windows days. None of my Macs are running any anti-virus software either. Macs saved me money by not having to buy Norton licenses. How do you like having to buy anti-virus software annually?

Actually I don't know if my Mac is really malware-free because I don't have any anti-virus software installed

 

[polaris20]

This is linguistic prejudice. English is a global language these days and regional biases are common. Particularly, I usually write my sentences with a portuguese-influenced syntax and I probably prefer using nouns inherited from latin rather than saxon ones.

English is a language which tends to simplify syntax and semantics and maybe this is what make english a de-facto worldwide idiom.

For example, in portuguese, conjugating the verb fail in simple present would be:

Eu (I) falho (fail)
Tu (Thou - deprecated) falhas (failest (??) - deprecated)
Você (You) falha (fail)
Ele/Ela (He/She/It) falha (fails)
Nós (We) falhamos (fail)
Vós (Ye - deprecated) falhais (failest (??) - deprecated)
Vocês (You - plural) falham (fail)
Eles/Elas (They) falham (fail)

So, english language does a simplifying work faster than other languages and I find it nice because we have an easy-to-learn protocol for communicating worldwide. English is what Esperanto or French tried to be in the past.

----------



Actually I don't know if my Mac is really malware-free because I don't have any anti-virus software installed

I know mine is. I run ClamXAV and Intego, non-realtime but weekly scans.

 

[doobybiggs]

so with the security stuff ... will virus / malware devs have to create new programs for Snow Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion?

Just curious if they all tie together pretty closely or if they will be a lot different on the backend forcing those devs to create all new bad programs ...

anything with the above?


I have looked around but cannot seem to find much info since all I ever see people saying is "Nothing can ever happen to MAC" ... which is funny since apple marketing no longer thinks so

 

[gumblecosby]

This is linguistic prejudice. English is a global language these days and regional biases are common. Particularly, I usually write my sentences with a portuguese-influenced syntax and I probably prefer using nouns inherited from latin rather than saxon ones.

English is a language which tends to simplify syntax and semantics and maybe this is what make english a de-facto worldwide idiom.

For example, in portuguese, conjugating the verb fail in simple present would be:

Eu (I) falho (fail)
Tu (Thou - deprecated) falhas (failest (??) - deprecated)
Você (You) falha (fail)
Ele/Ela (He/She/It) falha (fails)
Nós (We) falhamos (fail)
Vós (Ye - deprecated) falhais (failest (??) - deprecated)
Vocês (You - plural) falham (fail)
Eles/Elas (They) falham (fail)

So, english language does a simplifying work faster than other languages and I find it nice because we have an easy-to-learn protocol for communicating worldwide. English is what Esperanto or French tried to be in the past.

----------



Actually I don't know if my Mac is really malware-free because I don't have any anti-virus software installed

Tu is still used instead of voce in some parts of Brazil. My friend from Porto Alegre still uses it which confused me initially since Id never heard it in a conversation before. My partner (from a different part of Brazil) said it is uncommon to hear it and that is depreciated, as you rightfully said.

 

[MikhailT]

Beside the security updates, did anybody notice anything else in the update? Is ML now more optimized and more stable?

 

[Enectic]

You're talking about security patches, but I'm refering to definition updates for all 14 different anti-xware included, lthat you have to load for it to start updating the definitions, basically, another reason Windows sucks.

Oh you mean like these?

That's a screenshot of my update history with Windows automatic updates. Downloads and installs in the background without having to manually start anything up. When was the last time you used a Windows PC?

 

[marcusj0015]

Oh you mean like these?

Image

That's a screenshot of my update history with Windows automatic updates. Downloads and installs in the background without having to manually start anything up. When was the last time you used a Windows PC?

Lol, I have to use one right now, and everytime I go into microsoft security something or other or windows defender. (lmfao) it bitches about having to update.

 

[brdeveloper]

Tu is still used instead of voce in some parts of Brazil. My friend from Porto Alegre still uses it which confused me initially since Id never heard it in a conversation before. My partner (from a different part of Brazil) said it is uncommon to hear it and that is depreciated, as you rightfully said.

Hello... maybe I was misunderstood. In truth, "Tu" is still used as opposed to "Thou". "Vós" (Ye) is widely used in Portugal, but not much in Brazil, perhaps only in formal communication or poetry.

These two forms are frequently conjugated in a wrong way here as if they where interchangeable with "você" and "vocês", that is, it's common hear someone saying "Tu vai?" (Do thou go?) rather than "Tu vais?" (Do thou goest?).

In short, my point was that english evolves faster towards simplicity than other languages, like portuguese.

 

[Blackened Apple]

Hello... maybe I was misunderstood. In truth, "Tu" is still used as opposed to "Thou". "Vós" (Ye) is widely used in Portugal, but not much in Brazil, perhaps only in formal communication or poetry.

These two forms are frequently conjugated in a wrong way here as if they where interchangeable with "você" and "vocês", that is, it's common hear someone saying "Tu vai?" (Do thou go?) rather than "Tu vais?" (Do thou goest?).

In short, my point was that english evolves faster towards simplicity than other languages, like portuguese.

In Portugal, "vós" is rarely used in conversation, we use "vocês" usually. "Tu" is used when you talk to people close to you or of your own age, "você" is usually used with older people, not-that-close people, and generally to show respect.

BTW, that last conjugation should be "Doest/Dost thou go?", I think.

 

[doobybiggs]

Oh you mean like these?

Image

That's a screenshot of my update history with Windows automatic updates. Downloads and installs in the background without having to manually start anything up. When was the last time you used a Windows PC?

buuuuurned! +1 for perfect screen shot to prove point

 

[3282868]

buuuuurned! +1 for perfect screen shot to prove point

Ladies, ladies, ladies, you're both pretty.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Did anyone else have their computer boot back into the Apple ID/iCloud login screen after installation, and have Mail prompt you to update the database after installing this update?

All of my Gmail/iCloud/etc accounts under Mail, Contacts and Calendar are still logged in though. My login items weren't removed either.

I doubt it. Been using Macs for three years and I have had zero viruses/malware. Can't say the same for my Windows days.

Sounds like you had little common sense on the internet then. I've been using Windows since Win95 and have not had any viruses, period. Mainly because I don't click on the links for free smileys or visit shady websites.

None of my Macs are running any anti-virus software either. Macs saved me money by not having to buy Norton licenses. How do you like having to buy anti-virus software annually?

None of my computers are running any anti-virus and I've never had any problems. In your case I'd say you do need anti-virus though, which leads me to my next point:

Paying for antivirus? You've never heard of Windows Security Essentials, Windows Defender, Avast!, or any number of other free AV programs I presume then? (Macs saving you money... that's hilarious)

I don't like buying AV annually, which is why I don't. Yet I've never had a virus infestation on any of my Windows based PCs.

Honestly, I love my MacBook and iMac, but the stuff some people on here make up just to make their company of choice look better is laughable.

 

[doobybiggs]

Ladies, ladies, ladies, you're both pretty.

awww you think so ... but who wins the crown?

 

[linux2mac]

Sounds like you had little common sense on the internet then. I've been using Windows since Win95 and have not had any viruses, period. Mainly because I don't click on the links for free smileys or visit shady websites.

My former Fortune 100 company here in the great Twin Cities could have used your talents. Back in the early part of 2000 a major virus infiltrated our network (we were on Windows 2000 Professional then). The virus shut us down for a day and many of the 3000 plus employees at corporate headquarters were sent home early. Other local companies fell victim as well and the virus made the evening news. That was a lot of money lost that day and to think that company could have avoided the hit with this sound advice.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

My former Fortune 100 company here in the great Twin Cities could have used your talents. Back in the early part of 2000 a major virus infiltrated our network (we were on Windows 2000 Professional then). The virus shut us down for a day and many of the 3000 plus employees at corporate headquarters were sent home early. Other local companies fell victim as well and the virus made the evening news. That was a lot of money lost that day and to think that company could have avoided the hit with this sound advice.

And do you know how that major virus infiltrated your network? It didn't just appear without anyone doing anything, I can tell you that much. 3000 plus employees makes it more than likely that somebody did something stupid for that to happen.
Now had you told me that this was your private network that only you had access to, I'd be more inclined to believe your belief that viruses just appear on Windows, but as it stands you're just proving my point.

Your sarcasm is much appreciated, it goes to show what kind of person you are.

I also see that you've decided to reply solely to one part of my post- can you now tell me about the whole 'buying anti-virus annually' thing you mentioned?

 

[MacNewsFix]

Until Vista, the admin account in Windows did not implement DAC in a way to prevent malware by default. Also, Windows has a far greater number of privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow bypassing DAC restrictions even if DAC is enabled in Windows.....

Mountain Lion only improves upon the security of Lion.

BTW, Safari on a Mac running Lion was not hacked at the last pwn2own.

Holy cats. Impressive post!

How did the co-author of the The Mac Hacker's Handbook, co-written by famous Pwn2Own winner, Charlie Miller, describe security on Lion compared to Windows? Oh yeah: "Windows 7 plus plus."

My former Fortune 100 company here in the great Twin Cities could have used your talents. Back in the early part of 2000 a major virus infiltrated our network (we were on Windows 2000 Professional then). The virus shut us down for a day and many of the 3000 plus employees at corporate headquarters were sent home early. Other local companies fell victim as well and the virus made the evening news. That was a lot of money lost that day and to think that company could have avoided the hit with this sound advice.

Let me guess: The ILOVEYOU worm?

And do you know how that major virus infiltrated your network? It didn't just appear without anyone doing anything, I can tell you that much. 3000 plus employees makes it more than likely that somebody did something stupid for that to happen.
Now had you told me that this was your private network that only you had access to, I'd be more inclined to believe your belief that viruses just appear on Windows, but as it stands you're just proving my point.
....
I also see that you've decided to reply solely to one part of my post- can you now tell me about the whole 'buying anti-virus annually' thing you mentioned?

Clickjacking and zip-bombs are just two means by which hackers infect and take down computers and does not rely on visiting shady sites (example: Amnesty International UK site this year) or opening an email attachment. No or little interaction is necessary by the end-user.

A study in 2008 showed an unpatched Windows XP machine can be infected in an average of 4 minutes once connected to the Internet. In 2004, it was 20 minutes.

As for anti-virus software, he's probably referring to the software people have been told to buy for years, especially if they use Windows, requiring annual subscriptions to keep them effective at their purpose. They are so popular, hackers use fake anti-virus software to gain access to computers. Here is just a small sample:

Advanced Cleaner
AV Security 2012
AKM Antivirus 2010 Pro
AlfaCleaner
Alpha AntiVirus
ANG Antivirus
Antimalware Doctor
AntiMalware
AntiMalware GO
AntiMalware Go
AntiSpyCheck 2.1
AntiSpyStorm
AntiSpyware 2008
AntiSpyware 2009
Antispyware 2010
AntiSpyware 2011
AntiSpyware Bot from 2Squared Software
AntiSpywareExpert
AntiSpywareMaster
AntiSpyware Shield
AntiSpyware Soft
AntiSpywareSuite
AntiVermins
Antivir Solution Pro
Antivira AV
Antivirii 2011
Antivirus Action
Antivirus Monitor
Antivirus 7 or Antivirus5
Antivirus 8
Antivirus 360
Antivirus 2008
Antivirus 2009
Antivirus 2010
AntiVirus Gold or AntivirusGT
Antivirus IS
Antivirus Live
Antivirus Master
Antivirus .NET
Antivirus Pro 2009
Antivirus Pro 2010
Antivirus Scan
Antivirus Smart Protection
Antivirus Soft
AV Antivirus Suite
Awola
Best Malware Protection
Digital Security
Disk Defrag
Disk Doctor
Doctor Antivirus
Doctor Antivirus 2008
Dr Guard
DriveCleaner
Internet Antivirus 2011
Internet Defender 2011
Malware Defender
Malware Protection Center
MaxAntiSpy
Memory Fixer
MS AntiSpyware 2009
MS Antivirus Microsoft Anti Malware
MS Removal Tool
MS Removal Tool
My Security Engine
My Security Shield
My Security Wall
MxOne Antivirus
Navashield
Netcom3 Cleaner
Paladin Antivirus
PC Antispy
PC AntiSpyWare 2010
PC Clean Pro, PC-Doctor, PC Scan and Sweep
PC Privacy Cleaner
PCPrivacy Tools
PCSecureSystem
PC Antispyware
PSGuard
Quick Defragmenter
Rapid AntiVirus
Real AntiVirus, RegAlilve
Reggenie Antivirus
Registry Great
Registry Patrol
Registry Defender
Registry Winner
Reg tool
Security Shield
Security Solution 2011
Security Suite Platinum
Security Tool
Security Tool
Security Toolbar 7.1
Security Essentials 2010 (not to be confused with Microsoft Security Essentials)
SiteAdware
Smart Anti-Malware Protection
Smart Antivirus 2009
Smart Engine
Smart HDD
Smart Protection 2012
Smart security
Soft Soldier
Spy Away
SpyAxe
SpyCrush
Spydawn
SpyEraser
SpyGuarder
SpyHeal (a.k.a. SpyHeals & VirusHeal)
Spylocked
SpyMarshal
SpySheriff (a.k.a. PestTrap, BraveSentry, SpyTrooper)
SpySpotter
Spy Tool
spyware NO
ThinkPoint
Total Secure 2009
Total Win 7 Security
Total Win Vista Security
Total Win XP Security
VirusMelt
VirusProtectPro (a.k.a. AntiVirGear)
VirusRanger
VirusRemover2008
VirusRemover2009
Virus Response Lab 2009
VirusTrigger
Vista Antimalware 2011
Vista Antispyware 2010
Vista Antispyware 2011
Vista Antispyware 2012
Vista Antivirus 2008
Vista Home Security 2011
Vista Internet Security 2010
Vista Internet Security 2012
Vista Security 2011
Vista Security 2012
Vista Smart Security 2010
Volcano Security Suite
Win7 Antispyware 2011
Win 7 Antivirus 2010
Win Antispyware Center
Win 7 Home Security 2011
WinAntiVirus Pro 2006
WinDefender (not to be confused with the legitimate Windows Defender)
Win Defrag
Windows 7 Recovery
Windows Anticrashes Utility
Windows Antidanger Center
Windows Antivirus Rampart
Windows Attention Utility
Windows Cleaning Tool
XP-Shield
XJR Antivirus
Your Protection
Your PC Protector
Zinaps AntiSpyware 2008
Zentom System Guard
Security solution 2011

 

[linux2mac]

Holy cats. Impressive post!

How did the co-author of the The Mac Hacker's Handbook, co-written by famous Pwn2Own winner, Charlie Miller, describe security on Lion compared to Windows? Oh yeah: "Windows 7 plus plus."

Ouch! MS employees on this forum will not like that.

Let me guess: The ILOVEYOU worm?

Good recall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILOVEYOU

Apparently millions of people worldwide "did something stupid" that day. I am glad I don't use Outlook anymore.

Its nice to see Apple raising the bar even higher on security with Mountain Lion.

 

[3282868]

awww you think so ... but who wins the crown?

Sorry, couldn't resist a good natured jab

On topic, I jokingly asked a while back in a similar thread, who has the time to sit down and code all these viruses and how do they make a living to support them as it [generally] takes a lot of time?

I often wonder who gains the most from viruses. Certainly there are identity thieves, etc. Yet it seems, as a multi-billion dollar industry, don't the anti-virus manufacturers have a lot on the line should there be no need for them? It's like the pharmaceutical industry feeding more R&D into treatments than cures as there is more money for treating diseases which equates to long term investment strategies focusing pushing R&D into new treatments (as a diabetic since 12, but in excellent health, they make bank off test strips, meters, insulin, syringes, medications, etc. than the price of a one time cure or vaccine). Anti-virus manufacturers make quite a bit anytime a virus scare comes along; in annual subscriptions, software licenses, etc.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

Clickjacking and zip-bombs are just two means by which hackers infect and take down computers and does not rely on visiting shady sites (example: Amnesty International UK site this year) or opening an email attachment. No or little interaction is necessary by the end-user.

Thank you for the explanation, without resorting to sarcasm like that guy with the pissing avatar did.

The backdoor was fixed using a security update with Adobe and Oracle pushed out soon afterwards though, correct? The automatic update mechanism in Flash/Java should have prevented the issue before it became even more widespread.

However, I still fail to see why people would open random email attachments from unknown senders. They're just asking to be infected.

A study in 2008 showed an unpatched Windows XP machine can be infected in an average of 4 minutes once connected to the Internet. In 2004, it was 20 minutes.

But isn't that why Windows Update gives users the option to apply updates automatically?

As for anti-virus software, he's probably referring to the software people have been told to buy for years, especially if they use Windows, requiring annual subscriptions to keep them effective at their purpose. They are so popular, hackers use fake anti-virus software to gain access to computers. Here is just a small sample:

I understand what he meant by paid anti-virus, I was just confused about the way he put it. He seemed to imply that it was necessary to purchase anti-virus (every single year, no less), going so far as to say that using a Mac is "saving [him] money".

It's also worth noting that there are a number of fake anti-virus software for Mac OS X as well.

Apparently millions of people worldwide "did something stupid" that day. I am glad I don't use Outlook anymore.

Yes- they opened an email attachment from an unknown sender. I'm sorry, but that does qualify as something stupid in my book.

 

[Renzatic]

Lol, I have to use one right now, and everytime I go into microsoft security something or other or windows defender. (lmfao) it bitches about having to update.

What? It never bitches about updating. You only ever know if you've got a definition pending for download if you specifically go looking for it. Otherwise it'll download at 6 AM or when you first boot up your computer without saying a word otherwise.

----------

I understand what he meant by paid anti-virus, I was just confused about the way he put it. He seemed to imply that it was necessary to purchase anti-virus (every single year, no less), going so far as to say that using a Mac is "saving [him] money".

...which shows how ignorant he is. Yeah, it's always a good idea to keep a virus scanner going in Windows. But guess what? You don't have to pay for one. Get Avast or MSE. They're both free for life.

The excuse after that is usually "olol why should I have to run a virus scanner? I can't use one without it eating up 95% of my CPU and bogging my computer down", which is equally as dumb. I run MSE, and the most I've ever seen it gobble up resourcewise is 3% of my CPU and 30 meg of ram. I've seen chat clients take up more.

 

[TheMacBookPro]

...which shows how ignorant he is. Yeah, it's always a good idea to keep a virus scanner going in Windows. But guess what? You don't have to pay for one. Get Avast or MSE. They're both free for life.

The excuse after that is usually "olol why should I have to run a virus scanner? I can't use one without it eating up 95% of my CPU and bogging my computer down", which is equally as dumb. I run MSE, and the most I've ever seen it gobble up resourcewise is 3% of my CPU and 30 meg of ram. I've seen chat clients take up more.

It's not even 100% necessary to run an AV these days to be completely honest. It's still a good idea to run one though, and like you said most of them aren't as intrusive as, say, Norton is.

I see he's logged in since my & your post but appears to have decided to ignore this thread. I wonder why...

 

[MacNewsFix]

Thank you for the explanation, without resorting to sarcasm like that guy with the pissing avatar did.

The backdoor was fixed using a security update with Adobe and Oracle pushed out soon afterwards though, correct? The automatic update mechanism in Flash/Java should have prevented the issue before it became even more widespread.

However, I still fail to see why people would open random email attachments from unknown senders. They're just asking to be infected.

No problem. I tend to find civility wins out more times than not with most people (exception: see Blu-Ray thread).

As for why people open attachments from strangers, I believe it is due to most people not wanting to learn why or how computers and Internet communication functions. They want it dead simple like a fax machine. Can you blame them? How many other times during the day do we have to worry about our devices turning on us (ok, maybe if one in the mob and starting his car in the morning )?

But isn't that why Windows Update gives users the option to apply updates automatically?

That's certainly a step in the right direction and should be on by default. Same as with Apple's "Automatically update see downloads list" is on by default in Security and Privacy in OS X.

I understand what he meant by paid anti-virus, I was just confused about the way he put it. He seemed to imply that it was necessary to purchase anti-virus (every single year, no less), going so far as to say that using a Mac is "saving [him] money".

It's also worth noting that there are a number of fake anti-virus software for Mac OS X as well.

If you don't continue to pay for the annual subscriptions to many of these anti-virus services, they become useless as hackers invent new viruses, etc. I've made enough money from removing viruses from PCs with out-of-date virus defintitions to know it to be fact.

Indeed there are some rogue (bogus) anti-virus software for the Mac. However, the lack of viruses over the years, combined with the typical Mac user usually being more sophisticated*, newer security features (see above for example), and smaller user base means less Mac users will fall prey to this method of being hacked. I think Macs users have more to fear from official-looking requests to update Adobe Flash.

Cheers.

* - [Studies from both 2002 and 2011 show Macs users tend to be better educated than their Windows-using counterparts (both showed ~70% college educated versus ~50% respectively). Don't shoot the messenger!]

 

[TheMacBookPro]

No problem. I tend to find civility wins out more times than not with most people (exception: see Blu-Ray thread).

You mean the Steve Jobs saying Blu-ray will never come to the Mac thread? That was a complete mess with insults flying left and right, yikes.

As for why people open attachments from strangers, I believe it is due to most people not wanting to learn why or how computers and Internet communication functions. They want it dead simple like a fax machine. Can you blame them? How many other times during the day do we have to worry about our devices turning on us (ok, maybe if one in the mob and starting his car in the morning )?

An antivirus is probably a good idea for people who do open random attachments, even on OS X- who knows if they'll receive one of those Mac trojans one day.

Junk filters and built-in automatic attachment AV scanners that most email services provide helps too.

That's certainly a step in the right direction and should be on by default. Same as with Apple's "Automatically update see downloads list" is on by default in Security and Privacy in OS X.

I was surprised to see that the entire update had already been downloaded when I clicked install for the ML DP4 update, I guess that's the automatic update function at work? I wasn't happy to see that it had eaten through 1GB of my cellular data (I was tethering) without letting me know though.

When you first set up Windows they let you choose how you want the updates, with automatically install being the preselected (and recommended) choice, so it's on by default unless the user purposely chooses not to, at which point a dialog box pops up recommending the user to set it back to automatic updates. That's about as default as it should be imo- give the user the choice at initial setup. If I wasn't on an unlimited data plan that would have been costly!

If you don't continue to pay for the annual subscriptions to many of these anti-virus services, they become useless as hackers invent new viruses, etc. I've made enough money from removing viruses from PCs with out-of-date virus defintitions to know it to be fact.

There are plenty of free anti-virus software which in tests were shown to be just as good as paid AV software- see: Avira, Avast and AVG, all of which provide automatically updated definitions daily without requiring a paid subscription.

Indeed there are some rogue (bogus) anti-virus software for the Mac. However, the lack of viruses over the years, combined with the typical Mac user usually being more sophisticated*, newer security features (see above for example), and smaller user base means less Mac users will fall prey to this method of being hacked. I think Macs users have more to fear from official-looking requests to update Adobe Flash.

They're just trojans, doesn't matter whether it's wrapped in a Flash update package or an anti-virus package. All operating systems are susceptible to this kind of attack. But yes, the Flash one would look more legitimate to the average Mac user.

With that said, both Windows and OS X are getting new security features to prevent exactly this sort of thing from happening.

* - [Studies from both 2002 and 2011 show Macs users tend to be better educated than their Windows-using counterparts (both showed ~70% college educated versus ~50% respectively). Don't shoot the messenger!]

I hate to be "that guy" but college graduates are more likely to be able to afford a $1500 or 2000 computer, so I'm not too surprised. It would be interesting to see the number of $1000+ Windows machines sold vs the number of bargain basement $500 Walmart specials sold.

That might be changing though, as entry prices into a Mac get lower and lower with $999 Airs and more and more people getting into the Apple ecosystem with $200 iOS devices. Time will tell

 

[MacNewsFix]

You mean the Steve Jobs saying Blu-ray will never come to the Mac thread? That was a complete mess with insults flying left and right, yikes.

Yep, that's the one. While I'd love to say I had no blood on my hands, I have to admit to more than once letting a troll get under my skin.

You bring up some good points with which I agree, especially leaving the options in the OS to give the intermediate or expert users necessary tools. However, out of the box, I believe any device available to the general public should have all security precautions on (just like with car airbags ).

I was surprised to see that the entire update had already been downloaded when I clicked install for the ML DP4 update, I guess that's the automatic update function at work? I wasn't happy to see that it had eaten through 1GB of my cellular data (I was tethering) without letting me know though.

Damn! That bites. I'd stay off cellular when running updates, especially developer previews that tend to be HUGE.

There are plenty of free anti-virus software which in tests were shown to be just as good as paid AV software- see: Avira, Avast and AVG, all of which provide automatically updated definitions daily without requiring a paid subscription.

True. I use ClamXav from the Mac App Store and keep it updated (especially since we do a lot of business with other companies using Windows and occasional get a virus-ridden Word or PDF file we don't want to pass along to another entity in case they, too, use Windows). However, most people either succumb to the siren call of the big security firms that typically get their software included as part of bloatware packages, or novice users get duped by one of these rogue anti-virus programs that are just disguised trojans. Hopefully, more and more free anti-virus software will make its way into OS apps stores for those that are budget conscious and/or more computer savvy.

I hate to be "that guy" but college graduates are more likely to be able to afford a $1500 or 2000 computer, so I'm not too surprised. It would be interesting to see the number of $1000+ Windows machines sold vs the number of bargain basement $500 Walmart specials sold.

True. Last I checked (last year?), Apple owned the $1000+ range with 90% marketshare.

That might be changing though, as entry prices into a Mac get lower and lower with $999 Airs and more and more people getting into the Apple ecosystem with $200 iOS devices. Time will tell

I'm all for saving money (as long as quality and service don't get sacrificed)! Have a good weekend.

 

[JHankwitz]

"Weighing in at..." is a casual, jocular reference to boxing contestants. Language is rich in that way.

When boxing contestants 'weigh in', they are actually talking about their weight in pounds.