I'll believe it when I see it. Microsoft would absolutely love to see a Virus written for OS X.risc said:Wow your Uncle knows something the rest of the Mac community doesn't?
raggedjimmi said:Some say there is a virus for OSX. its called WoW. but it affects the player too
There will always be a Virus for any OS more than likely, but how the virus propagates into your system is different. OS X is just built right to now allow viruses. It's an un needed program to have anti-virus. With Windows the Registry is the key. Its a major part of Windows, and if they get rid of it with Vista (which they are having trouble with in the first place) then support for previous apps is anywhere from 5% to 0%. Everything uses the Registry in Windows.p0intblank said:I thought I've read there are a few viruses out there for the Mac, but it is by a very rare chance that you'll ever even hear about one. I'm most likely wrong since I heard this a while ago and my facts may be a little out of place...
p0intblank said:Does anyone know if Microsoft is dropping the use of Internet Explorer (technically Explorer...) for browsing your computer, folders, files, etc? If not, then they are just making a big mistake. It's too bad that so many people use IE and have no idea of the circumstances.
One is called explore.exe and the other iexplore.exe slooksterPSV said:
Onizuka said:Wow, so many "i heard" and "my uncle" and misconceptions about.
Let's run through this real quick:
OS X DOES NOT, and probably WILL NOT, have any viruses on it, ever.
Why?
Well, let's take a look:
1. OS is not built around web applications like Windows is, where it's built ONTOP of (not only DOS, but) Internet Explorer. Everything is an extension of explorer.
2. To make any system level changes, even when in an Admin account, you HAVE TO enter your name and password. Windows does not ask for this, which is why so much crap gets there.
3. If you download an application, even in the background, OS X will ask if you want to launch this app for the first time. Right there, is another security check.
4. The malware out for OS X comes in disk images and packages that pose as REAL applications, or cracks/hacks for those applications. Generally made of applescripts that, again, when trying to run, need your ADMIN password to change things. If you have a funny feeling about something, then do go through with it.
5. These items cannot self-propogate either. So, in short, your uncle, or what you've heard is flat out WRONG. It is fact that they are wrong, and until the day soeme uber hacker can figure out a way past having to get the admion's password to install it, change system level functions, slap a trojan in the Startup items folder, and get past LITTLE SNITCH (if you don't have this app, shame on you!), then we're in the clear.
edit: I hear the WOW virus ruins lives, not just hard drives.
I said that because when I did the cloning, the image had to check the software version to put files in one place over another. It was something that was in Library - I'll have to look when I make another image tomorrow.jaduffy108 said:
Viruses usually attack an OS, not hardware. So it won't make a difference. Linux for instance is That being said, there are things such as BIOS viruses that can attack the software on your motherboard. Right now Macs don't have BIOS, but they most likely will after the switch.Kobaiyashi said:
