trainguy77 -
I am going to have to strongly disagree with you in some of your statements you posted. If you read my post carefully you will find I made mainly the same point as to Mac OS security. However, it's the kind of "Mac Fanboy" syndrome that plagues this topic that proves the points in my first post. Everyone NEEDS virus protection, software firewall and hardware firewalls if they are SERIOUS about not being compromised.
As I point out in my first post, there is NO difference in terms of security between Mac, Windows or Linux. They ALL have security issues, it's just a matter of the software coding that executes which takes advantage of a certain platform, OS, etc. Windows is on most home user/consumer PCs, therefore the code is written to exploit those systems the most. All computers, regardless have the SAME security holes that can be exploited given the proper code and tools.
Also I said that rather or not you choose to go to such security measures is a personal choice, but NOT because there is something different between platforms that make you more secure than another.
It's posts like this that further illustrate my original post that proves either Mac users are uneducated on the subject or simply refuse to accept the FACTS. "prosperousyogi" said "We all agree we don't need virus protection, but do you do an occasional scan for spyware?" This is NOT to belittle or point to a single user, only to point out this user is one of many posting on this topic incorrect statements that are not factual.
We certainly do NOT all agree on this because the FACTS fully support my original post. There is no one that can say otherwise if they really know what they are talking about. No one that has ever worked in IT at a company would ever say some of the statements made in this topic because they know it is not fact. They will tell you the same thing I did and that is it is up to you just how much security you want and to ask yourself one question: "Can I afford to lose all my data on my system even if my attached storage devices are compromised as well?"
Notice I bring attached storage into the discussion. That's because any storage device that can "see" your home/office network can be compromised at the same time your main systems are. That would mean not only is your main computers breached or infected but your backup or additional storage too. The ONLY way those devices would NOT be compromised at the same time is if they were not connected to your network the main systems are on and not accessible from any outside connection. This is why many IT security companies run full security scans, connect a storage device/units temporary to make the known GOOD backup, then disconnected from the main network and stored in a fireproof vault. That way should a security breach or infection occur and you had ALL connected devices compromised you can go to the one which is NEVER connected to your main network except when making a known good backup.
As I said before, if you make your living from your computer work then there are instances when you can not afford ANY compromise. For example, I work on web site design projects for different companies and can't afford to loose any data. It may take months for a project and most are done via contract. Therefore any loss of data is more than just lost income it is also lost clients. If it means loosing business and many thousands of dollars for security issues then implementing the strongest security you can is a must, not a choice.
I hope some find this useful. The purpose is NOT to make anyone feel bad, only to help educate on the FACTS of security.
