Some questions about security/viruses/torjans etc.

[tekno]

The recent news about Macs getting unwanted nastiness has got me thinking and I have a few questions:

1. What's stopping something gaining access to my keychain and therefore every password?

2. When I have (for example) a Flash Update pop-up, how do I know that's what it is and its not downloading something else?

3. From what I understand, a Trojan requires me to click something to allow it to install. Why? Why can't the baddies work around this?

4. Checking a site is "https" - why can't baddies have https websites too?

5. Say I have this Trojan - why should I care?

6. Software update - How do I know that everything in Software Update is legitimate? Could my computer not be 'reconfigured' to download files from elsewhere?

 

[tekno]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm much the wiser now.

 

[rdowns]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm much the wiser now.

MacRumors is awesome in giving people answers to their questions. So glad you're wiser.

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm much the wiser now.

You're welcome!

 

[0dev]

Am I going crazy or are there no replies? Where'd they go?

 

[GGJstudios]

Am I going crazy

Pretty much!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Am I going crazy or are there no replies? Where'd they go?

A virus ate them?

 

[GGJstudios]

For those who missed them, all the answers are here.

 

[Gregg2]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm much the wiser now.

Thanks for patiently waiting for replies from members who come here to help people when they have nothing better to do.