Writer Says “Great Number” Of Viruses Afflict Apple.

By Carol Mary Miller • Monday, November 6, 2006 • Home » Forum Topics »

Dummies 2006 will go down as the Year of Misinformation for mainstream media tech writers, columnists, pundits, and others.

Their crime? They proclaim a special status as know-it-alls, but can’t find a clue or a fact with both hands and a flashlight.

We’ve removed the promo buttons on Mac360’s home page and article pages for the Dumbass Alert. Why?

Too many dumbasses have caused our readers to wear out the buttons. Still, dumbasses are easy to spot these days.

Take into consideration Patrick Marshall writing for The Seattle Times.

Perhaps we should give Seattle computer users a break, since they’re so close to Microsoft headquarters, and so far removed from pleasurable computing.

In what almost looks to be a question aimed at tripping up an unaware journalist posing as a guest columnist, Phil of Tacoma wrote:

“I’m considering purchasing my first Apple iMac computer, the type that can run both Apple software and Windows software. How should I protect my system from viruses, scams and intrusions under this duo system? If I communicate through e-mail via the Apple side will I be protected from viruses? I’ve read that the only reason there aren’t many viruses for the Apple is because the hackers haven’t been that interested in “attacking” that system. Is that true or is there a difference in how the different systems communicate with the Internet environment?”

It can no longer be said that Macs don’t run as much software as Windows PCs. Why?

Macs run everything Windows PCs can run and everything that Macs can run. Phil’s consideration and concerns are worthy discussion.

For example, if he’s just running Mac OS X, he doesn’t need much protection from viruses and spyware because none exist in the wild for Macs.

Phishing is a different issue, and no one is immune, but Windows Internet Explorer 7 has some new tools to help on a Windows Mac.

As to viruses on Windows on a Mac? Hey, it’s Windows. Get prepared or keep it away from internet access.

Phil even tosses an easy-to-hit softball regarding why there aren’t many viruses for “the Apple.” Then he turns hardball.

“Is that true or is there a difference in how the different systems communicate with the Internet environment.”

Good question. What does he get from the tech guru? Shiny crapola completely devoid of fact.

“You definitely want to install and maintain up-to-date anti-virus software for whatever operating system you’re going to use. Yes, there is some truth to the notion that there are fewer viruses that attack Apple Computer systems, in part because the operating system is less popular. It’s understandable that a virus writer would want to make the biggest splash possible. But there are a great number of viruses that can afflict Apple computers. For more information, you may want to take a look at http://www.securemac.com.”

While installing and using anti-virus software for Mac OS X won’t kill you, it’s not going to do much either. Poor misinformed Patrick Marshall also misinforms Phil of Tacoma, and probably many other readers.

He says, “there are a great number of viruses that can afflict Apple computers.” That’s a great phrase, a worthy quote, and totally, completely false.

As his proof, Marshall links to SecureMac, not the most reputable source for information, which lists a single virus for Mac OS X, albeit one that didn’t work.

Readers of The Seattle-Times should ask their editors to provide more accurate reporting than this:

“At the same time, it’s true some operating systems are more vulnerable than others. There are reportedly more vulnerabilities that can be exploited in Windows XP than Mac OS X. But that can be taken as a challenge by virus writers, too. Until the first virus appeared for Mac OS X, there was quite a bit of speculation about how long it would take. I’m sure there were a number of virus writers competing to see who could be the first.”

“There are reportedly?” That’s a distortion. There are tens of thousands of viruses, spyware, exploits for Windows. How many for the Mac?

Come on, Patrick. Give good advice. What you’ve provided to readers of The Seattle-Times is ancient poppycock. Then again, I noticed that your photo is black and white, so I assume color hadn’t been invented when you were learning computers.

If it’s true, as you say, that there’s a “great number” of viruses which afflict the Mac, name five.

You’ll struggle, but your panic-laced virus insinuations have infected other Mac publications, so says fellow womanly Mac user Mary Tyler of ArsTechnica.

Click Here to see reader comments on this article in the Mac360 Forums.

Classy Mac360 Photo By Carol Mary Miller | I teach English in Paris, France. My husband works for a US technology company here. He switched from PCs to the Mac 12 years ago. I told him it would improve our marriage, give us more friends, and reduce stress. It did.

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