Are Apple PC less prone to viruses and spy ware than windows base PC?

Answer 1

Not at all an apple with windows is just as prone as a pc with windows. If you get a mac with OSX then you are a LITTLE more secure.

Answer 2

In reality the answer is yes simply because there are much less viruses and spyware written to target Macs, which obviously lowers your chances considerably of getting infected. Whether the Mac OS' are *inherently* less prone (i.e. more secure) is a question that creates a lot of debate and is probably impossible to get a real answer for until such time as Macs are as popular as PCs (and thus targetted equally).

Answer 3

Lets cut the BS and get to the truth.
the Protagonists:
1. You have Microsoft with 150,000 Microsoft virus definitions, trojans, bots, malwares, that all take advantage of the fact that Internet Exploder and Lookout Express have total system privileges. When I write a small script, it bores right in through any of the 32,256 open ports!

Microsoft's policies are to sell everything before it is fully tested, and fully functional, and let you, the user, figure it all out for them.
Microsoft is a convicted multi felon on three continents, and has lost over 360 lawsuits in America, for Theft and Fraud.
You want WHAT? OH! Go BUY it from a 3rd party vendor!

2. MacIntosh, which increased sales by 43% last year, runs BSD.
Berkeley Software Distribution (developed and released in 1984 at Berkeley UC!) shares the quality of security with all 800 other FREE and Open Source OSes, like FreeBSD (runs Yahoo.com) and GNU/Linux (runs ALL Microsoft.com, Hotmail.com, MSN.com 45,000 servers!)!

These 800 Unix clones lock down the kernel "root" files, and users never have access in any way that would compromise the system.
No browser has access or permissions at the System "ROOT" file level.

NOW THEN: The bilgetalk is that the more popular system, is attacked more often. Well, when we refer to the PROFESSIONALS on the Internet who record and measure such things, the attacks agains BSD and GNU/Linux are double in number over the ones against Microsoft, in the most important area, SERVERS.

The success rate against the 'Nixes is practically zero vs. almost 100% against Microsoft. Microsoft objects if exploits against 3rd party applications are included in it's stats, but, demands they be included in the 'Nix ones!

This is why Microsoft says that the number of potential exploits against the 'Nixs is quite large, so as to make it look safe to run MS. True facts are the reverse of that. And, you can PROVE IT for yourself!

Grab http://pclinuxos.com with it's 5,000 FREE games, programs, applications, that runs the Weather Channel, NASA, FBI, CIA, Mars Rovers, the Space Shuttle, the Fortune 1,000, most school systems, and ALL of the Microsoft empire!

Run it, bare on a high speed Internet connection, for two years, and you will see one, perhaps two, attempts to exploit it. Microsoft lasts about 10 minutes before it is rooted , bot'ed, and turned into a spam relay!

Just look at the US CERT and DHS websites which ask you to NEVER use IE or OE for National Security! Get firefox!

I do recommend you run an IPCOP box, using an older system, to protect any connection to the Internet!

Answer 4

Most people say yes that windows has more viruses attacking their computer and that more viruses are windows based...but Apples can get viruses too, even more than windows depending on where the user browses the internet, opens their email, all that. Just depends how well protected the computer is.

Answer 5

Apple is on an advertising blitz. In their ads, the say the number of viruses for Windows last year is over 100,000, for Macs zero. Also, Macs are simply harder to hack than Windows. BTW, I use PCs/Windows so please don't think I use a Mac. I think we all know how Windows has full of holes and people just put up with it probably becoz it is what they know how to use.

Answer 6

it makes sense because Windows based PC are the most popular in the US. And it really surprises me that most peopel cant even use a Mac. I remember learning on Mac in elementary and then Windows hit really big and everyone started using them. Yes Windows are user friednly but Mac seems to have btter protection and as an added bonus my mom cant get into my computer and see my information. She uses Windows based at home and then at work they use IBM with Windows OS.

Answer 7

From a technological standpoint, yes. Both are somewhat equally susceptible.

Because most people use PC's they're a larger target. Thus most virus writing idiots also use Windows based PC's.

Interestingly, you could argue that mac users are more susceptible on a percentage basis. Due to the perception of a lower risc of viral attack, fewer users are likely to use virus protection.

Answer 8

Macs can be hit, but Window PCs are a larger target. If Apple based viruses do get out, a LOT of Macs are vulnerable because their owners think "What? Me Worry?" They think they are immune from attack.

THEY ARE NOT.

Answer 9

it's all about the numbers. people who write the code we call spyware and viruses are trying to impact the highest number of computers they can - so they design them to infect windows-based pcs because that's where the biggest % of users are.

but apples are no less prone to them in theory. if someone set out to infect apple users, they easily could.

Answer 10

The reason that all apple computers were consider immune to infections is because the Scumbags that write the programs did write them for Macs. You don't waste time infecting small number of computers. You don't get he news coverage. Infect millions of windows based machines and then you get serious attention and coverage. Now that Macs numbers are increasing the Scumbags have decided they will get the attention and coverage and are now modifing programs to infect macs. The windows based macs are easy to infect.

If you have one or are going to get one, then use your knowledge of protecting your Windows based machine to protect your mac. If you are lacking in this knowledge, go here and read this site. It helped me alot.

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/computer_privacy_and_security.htm