Comments on: Why there are no viruses for OS X

By: Clarkson

Clarkson — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:25:06 +0000

“On the Apple, I can click any link on the internet without worry. Its great, you PC cheapskates can enjoy all of the nonsense that comes with a Windows-based operating system and I’ll enjoy my 6 year old, lightning-fast, problem-free MAC.”

Take your old Mac, and stuff it deep …, your holier-than-thou attitude simply sucks. Ps. I’m a Mac user. Stop embarrassing us please – that goes for all you arguing this pointless argument, for the millionth time over. I’m better than you, is what 90% of are saying. Like little children in the schoolyard. Embarrassed for us all….

By: Dewy

Dewy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:27:02 +0000

Sorry, I like my video games too much =/. My computer has never been hacked, because I’ve never been dumb enough to download something that seemed even the least bit sketchy. Use spyware/virus scanners, and your set. Who cares if Mac uses UNIX, the main thing it’s good for is video/photo editing, and it’s damn good at that. Windows is good for gaming, and it’s amazing at that. There’s no better/worse when talking about using a computer for basic use(word documents, browsing the internet, listening to music). The one big problem I had had with Macs was, as cliche as it seems, NO. RIGHT. CLICK. Macs have definitely evolved and many hipsters and wanna-be hipster college students use them more than many others I’ve seen. Microsoft is used by old men and gamers. Simple as that.

By: Pete

Pete — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:59:09 +0000

I believe it was Safari that was hacked rather than the actual core system, but this did allow a way towards getting at further information on the Mac, apparently.

By: D1Tarkwizzle

D1Tarkwizzle — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:00:53 +0000

Dang… Now this may be myth or “shit that come out”:

The reason why people write viruses for Windows is because it is a rite of passage for Windows programmers. After mastering the impossible code used by Windows they create virus. Probably out of frustration.

From reading posts all over the internet I have come to this conclusion:

Intelligent people use Macs. Stubborn people use Windows. I use both. But I’m working on lowering my level of stubbornness.

By: John Goodyear

John Goodyear — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:11:30 +0000

With the contest to hack Leopard vs. Vista, the people who were hacking in the competition were tested over multiple days. In the first day, the hackers were not allowed to use any type of viruses that were received through clicking a link online. During that day, no one hacked the mac. On the second day, they allowed the hackers to use software that they had prepared, and were allowed to use viruses, received by clicking “a link online”. That is how Mac was hacked. But to call it worst than Vista, simply because of the time it was hacked in, is ludicrous. There was only one hacker, who had software prepared, who hacked the Mac. Only 1. There were tons of hackers in the event, which means they were all good, but still differently skilled in certain types of malware and virus. Let me also say that Vista was also hacked that day. The media and pc network just likes to leave the details out and take the competition out of perspective.

By: my 25 cents

my 25 cents — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:14:59 +0000

I noticed that most of the people posting who have used both windows and mac operating systems prefer the mac. I started with dos 3 on a 286 and have been through all the versions of windows. I have also been using macs since os 7.6 and used 8.1, 9.5 and all 5 versions of os X. I’ve also used some sgi and hp unix boxes, and I’ve given a couple of linux variants a go. I don’t claim to be an expert, let’s pretend I don’t know anything about computers and have just been using them for a while.

I have had maybe three viruses in the old mac os 9 days, and maybe 6 viruses on windows. I’ve never had a virus on any unix/linux/osX system. Computers are tools, like a screwdriver. Windows is a flathead, mac is a phillips, and linux is a torx screwdriver. Do you want to use your tools to make something or do you want to work on your tools? If you look at computers like cars, (a tool and a revreational vehichle) most people are drivers and not mechanics. Do you want to drive a car or spend your time under the hood? (or both?!) Do you prefer Ford or Chevy? Dodge? Foreign? Now look at a computer like a camera. Do you like Canon or Nikon? Olympus? Hassleblad? What about a guitar? Do you like Fender or Gibson? Taylor? Paul Reed Smith?

Tools are extensions of the person using them. It really doesn’t matter who has a better tool to anyone but the user. Tiger woods could beat me at golf even if I used his clubs and he used mine. Carlos Santana could make a dime store guitar sound great. Kenny wallace could drive circles around me in any car. And back in the day Ansel Adams could take a better picture in black and white than anyone could in color. All this is debatable, but you get the point.

Whether I’m replying to this thread on my Mac booted to windows, linux or os X won’t make my post any more eloquent, or intelligent, it’s just the tool that I used. after trying several, I think mac makes a better tool. Trying to tell me it’s not a better tool is like trying to tell me that honey isn’t sweet. I’ve already tasted it.

Back to the subject, “why are there no viruses on os X?”
Google it (or try msn if you like). Look it up in wikipedia or use other online tools (there’s that word again)

The real question is why does windows have so many!

By: ztigerpaw

ztigerpaw — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:21:25 +0000

Another reason that I don’t think anyone pointed out is how fast they respond they handle & fix the bugs quick once there found and/or made public. So while no OS is perfect at least Apple is fast on the bug fixes. Unlike Microsoft who I’d slap whoever decided to integrate IE into the system. Since, despite Window’s popularity, it really doomed the system in the end.

That’s just my 2 cents. I’m sorry if its illogical in any aspect. I’m no IT expert.

By: Cold

Cold — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:28:58 +0000

Firstly, Macs are overpriced single unit machines. Anything you can’t maintain yourself with your own tools/knowledge shouldn’t be sold. I gain nothing but frustration watching people try to fix hardware issues on a Mac by using software.
That said:
1) Linux/Unix etc aren’t immune to exploits cause they are open source, they just get patched by people who would normally write viruses. Something Apple doesn’t allow people to do with OS X.
2) There would be viruses, but the whole idea of a virus is that it has to be able to spread. Doesn’t spread so well when no major web servers/databases/architecture use Mac software.
3) Mac’s crash and they have VERY poor track record of being able to properly rebuild/reboot and go.
4) Apple reps. more often then not use Open Office/MS Office for trade shows to show off apple products. (Clue train, they aren’t even using the software/hardware they are selling)
5) Macs are not higher quality hardware, they are just more expensive and you are getting the raw end of the deal when you buy them. Sometimes 500-1000% increases in price for the EXACT SAME spec’d hardware. Plus repairs take weeks instead of hours.

P.S. – No, my primary OS isn’t windows its Linux, I’m just tired of Mac owners acting all high and mighty because they think its better. It’s not, stop arguing. You will never get a person who has a solid computer knowledge base to buy a Mac, ever.

P.S.S. – Beware university profs(except Art “profs”) with Macs.

By: OTiZ

OTiZ — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:52:58 +0000

I can not believe I actually sat here and read all this crap, but I find it so amusing that people love to brag about the OS that they have. There has been many valid points made throughout the duration of this, but what seems to humor me the most is that nobody cares what it takes to get the job done just as long as the job gets done. Everyone has an opinion and opinions are like your butt whole everyone has one and they stink when you let S#!? out of it.

By: grumpytico

grumpytico — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:16:42 +0000

I think MS has a superior OS in terms of security than any of their predecessors, but they exchanged user experience in terms of security – how many f*7N clicks does it take to copy a file only to be told that I can’t?

I think the virus story is old and outdated, there are more compelling reasons to use OS X over Vista, and the user experience is good enough reason for me never having to think to use Vista unless I am forced to for a software project or if someone puts a gun to my head.

Peace.