Do apple computers really not get viruses??

Question

Hey i'm 15, and i have got a Ibook G3..so pretty old but good for my first mac that i bought myself..my family computer is a Microsoft..cause they all hate apple!! and i was wondering will my apple never get viruses..if so how does this protection work...cause i know on microsoft you have to have all this zone alarm and rubbish!! so can you explain to me how it works...??

Aslo does any one know when a new imac is coming out??

Thanks

Answer 1

Of course they can get a virus.
Below are some of the reasons why Apple Macintosh computers do not have as many viruses as Microsoft Windows.

- Newer Macintosh operating systems, such as the Mac OS X, is built on the Unix kernel, which is one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.

- Microsoft Windows is used by a lot more users. Because more users use Microsoft Windows, it is a lot better of a target than Apple Macintosh computers.

- Most of the virus writers are familiar with the IBM platform and Microsoft Windows, and therefore are only going to be able to create a virus for that platform.

- Many of the tools and scripts used to help users create viruses or other malware are designed for Microsoft Windows.

Source:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm

* The true reason is it's just not a juicy enough target for hackers (only 15% of PC market) ... not because its magicaly better... consider a virus like a newspaper ad ... wouldn't you want it in the paper with the most circulation ?

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

There are 2 computer myths MAC would like you to believe.

1. MACs are Virus Free.
2. Macs are Crash Proof.

There is no such thing as a Virus or Crash Proof Operating System. All Operating Systems can get viruses. Mac is a Unix based Operating System just like Linux. You will never hear a Linux expert say Linux can't get a virus.

What they will tell you is that most viruses you get are intended for Windows, and that you won't have a serious threat on a Unix based system unless you are logged in as root (the sytem administrator)

With Windows you are always logged in as the administrator by default. With Unix systems you temporarly log in as the administrator to make system changes, than you are back to being a restricted user. While this protects system files from being corupted or having malicious pragams installed, it does nothing to protect user files or privacy.

Two more important factors to keep in mind as well are:

1. The more software available for an OS the more possible security flaws and bugs it will have.

2. The more users an OS has the bigger target it makes. Also the more users the more people that know how to make code for it.

Unix is a very stable OS but it is not crash proof. Windows XP is also very stable. What causes an Operating system to crash is hardware problems and software conflicts.

Most Windows crashes are caused by software conflicts. It is most likely something you did such as installing a program or modifying the system in some way that caused the crash.

The reason people don't experience enough Mac crashes to note is that the hardware is made by the same people that make the OS. Also there is less software on the market, therefore fewer possible bugs.

If you use only OS supported software on a linux system it won't crash either. But if you start using unsupported programs, Linux will also crash.

Mac is alot of hype. If you want to get away from Windows install Free BSD (which Mac is based on) or Linux on your PC.

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Some say they can, but I have been using mac since 1988 and have not yet had a virus. I suppose all computers can get viruses, it is just very unlikely on a mac for a number of reasons. 1. Unix permissions 2. Lack of people writing mac viruses. 3. Better Kernel Isolation 4. Difficult propagation: You have to actually install an infected program to get past the security systems already in place. All mac viruses or rumors of mac viruses to date have only gotten into the system by the user installing an infected program and allowing it access to the kernel by entering your security key. (Never give a program this kind of access unless it is from an assured vendor)

Answer 5

Yes, it is generally true that Apple and Linux get less than 1% of the viruses that effect Windows machines, that is, Apple and Linux are virtually virus free when compared to Windows. Will this go on forever? Heck, my crystal ball is on the blink so I cant tell you if it will be like that forever, but there is no evidence that is changing anytime soon. There are good reasons for it.
1. Lots of people hate Microsoft..and for good reasons. For example, they charge about $200 or more for an operating system that Linux gives away. Also, Microsoft operating systems have, literally hundreds of bugs. Microsoft calls them "updates" People are upset that Microsoft charges big money for operating systems that many people feel are inferior to the ones given away. Some of these people are so angry they write Virus programs and infection millions of Windows computers all over the world.
2. Microsoft operating systems have huge vulnerabilites and holes that hackers and crackers like to exploit. One really good example, is that Microsoft comes, out of the box with many open ports that can be exploited. Most Linux systems, however, have all those ports closed until the user specifically opens them. That is, Microsoft tells everyone where you keep the keys to your home, and how much money you have stored there.
3. My recommendation is you keep the Mac, dump the Windows computers and install kubuntu at www.kubuntu.org. Kubuntu is a popular, easy to use Linux flavor.

Answer 6

No thats not true at all (total BS in fact).. Macs can get a virus as easily as a PC can.. the only difference is that such a low percentage of people use MACS that not many hackers bother to write virus programmes for them because there isnt much point in it..

As the Mac has gained slightly more popularity.. Mac Viruses have become a little more common.. if they become more common the virus will increase..

If mac were virus bullet proof.. Umm then why would they make virus scanning software for them? (think about it)

As for the new macs they are already out.... they now use intell chips (the people that used to make the PC chips) and they will run windows or OSX (linux/unix based OS)... Mac has basically merged to PC in an odd sorrta way.. PC's have been able to run Win or Linux/Unix for decades...

Answer 7

The only way a Mac could become infected with a virus is if the user allowed it to happen. Mac's require an admin password to be entered when anything installed, from applications to adware to viruses. So, when working on your Mac, if you get a popup asking for the admin password, and you did not attempt to install anything, then you know it is either a virus or adware/spyware attempting to install. Just say no and you will be protected. Anyone who says Mac's can get a virus just as easily as a Windows PC is misleading you or knows absolutely nothing about Mac's. The Windows OS, Vista, uses the same security as a Mac now, so it will be harder to get a virus and spyware on it.

Answer 8

Actually, MAC machines are not virus proof, by any means. Those that believe a MAC cannot get a virus are have been misled. The vast majority of MAC machines are unprotected because of this belief. The truth is, there have been few virii written for MAC, but if any malware creators decide there are enough machines out there to make it worthwhile targetting them, half the MACs on the internet will be infected within hours.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12537279/

Answer 9

The Mac OS is not as easy to invade as the Windows OS. Does this mean it is absolutely secure? NO! In fact several security exploits have been found in every Mac OS. The deal is that most of the perpetrators of malware don't target the Mac due to it's low market share.

Answer 10

true...they represent about 3% of the market, all the ppl writing the viruses are doing so for the other 97% of the market. That will probably change once the apple gets more popular...