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Sarge
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One other thing to consider when surfing the net is to armour your computer up to the eyeballs with a vast array of protective apps starting from firewall (both in hardware & software format), Antivirus, spam killer, Privacy protection, Antispyware, Anti rootkit, registry security suite and a lot more beside. The mind boggles at the need of so many 3rd party apps just to keep your PC safe and plodding along. Not to mention the cost of subscriptions with security software’s vendors, time spent servicing Windows XP, tweaking and general housekeeping. All of this is finally sinking in with the Redmont’s behemoth so they’re now including in the forthcoming new OS Vista, a technology to prevent access to the kernel called PatchGuard to stop anyone to modify it from either malicious attackers or security vendors. No surprise that the industry is up in arms; they have vested interests in keeping the OS vulnerable so they can keep lining their fat wallets at the expense of us hapless PC users.
Although (almost) no security break has been reported with Macintosh, mainly due to the fact that hackers, virus writers and assorted unsavoury characters who infest the web, have been concentrating their effort on PCs (they form 98% of computers worldwide), that is not to say Apple is totally safe from attacks. There was a story a few months ago that someone managed to create a virus that attacks OS X: Leap-A virus. Maybe this is a taste of things to come, as more and more disillusioned PC users switch to Mac so the more hackers will follow their trails.
I’m assuming that I would need some sort of defence to keep hackers at arm’s length from my precious Macbook Pro, I see that Symantec (Norton security brand) retails a number of apps for Mac: Norton for Mac. Do you guys use any security apps?
Sarge
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:09 pm on Dec. 23, 2006
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Skip
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Quote: from Sarge on 7:33 am on Dec. 24, 2006
Do you guys use any security apps?
Several years back, paranoia reared it's ugly head and I installed an antivirus program. Scanned the HDD, kept it up to date, and realized by month two there wasn't anything to fear but fear itself. So I took it off. I've been happily and productively running a naked system for 4+ years since then.
But then too, I go into my daily computing with eyes wide open. To wit: In Finder > Preferences > Advanced > [select] Show All File Extensions. Lots and lots of people have no idea what a file extension is, but it's your first indication whether further diligence is needed. Turning on the extension view is all the diligence you need, IMHO.
Apple has something to say on Safety Tips worth reading. Like all else in this realm- it's elegant in its simplicity. Read also this story concerning the Leap-A malware from MacWorld and fear not the FUD from the anti-viral vendor crowd. A small bit of diligence is all you'll need...
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 6:01 pm on Dec. 23, 2006
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Quote: from Sarge on 7:33 am on Dec. 24, 2006
Redmond’s behemoth so they’re now including in the forthcoming new OS Vista, a technology to prevent access to the kernel called PatchGuard to stop anyone to modify it from either malicious attackers or security vendors.
Which assumes you the user are tantamount to malware! Honestly! 9 Billion US dollars a year in R&D and you the Admin of your own computer are 'suspect' by default in Vista. It simply DOES NOT jibe.
Microsoft orchestrates a world of artificially imposed barriers to technology. Whereas technological barriers are anathema to the OS X experience.
Example:
1) Though Zune is a Microsoft product, it is not compatible with players and online music stores using Microsoft's PlaysForSure technology.
2) The first version of the Zune Software was not compatible with Windows Vista, which was made available to developers and volume licensing customers in November 2006
3) While Zune has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, it can only connect to other Zune devices; it can't wirelessly sync with its host PC...
Source: Wikipedia
And Zune is Microsofts answer to the iPod??!?!  
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:28 pm on Dec. 23, 2006
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DaffyDuck
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Quote: from Sarge on 7:33 am on Dec. 24, 2006
Although (almost) no security break has been reported with Macintosh, mainly due to the fact that hackers, virus writers and assorted unsavoury characters who infest the web, have been concentrating their effort on PCs (they form 98% of computers worldwide)
This is a popular misconception, and one mostly perpetrated by PC specialists and experts who are neither -- the reason the Mac is impervious to malware infections, virii, and spyware, is not because hackers are busy with the PC, but rather because the operating system was designed from the ground up to BE secure, unlike Windows, which might as well be a 'virus construction kit'. Windows was never conceived with security in mind, and even under Vista, security procedures are after-thoughts.
As an example, there are regular challenges to compromise a Macintosh server or system, having it placed on the network, and a challenge of taking a file, or altering a website. These challenges usually have significant $$$ prices associated with them. Whenever these were offered in the past, the prices have gone unclaimed. Not for lack of trying, mind you!
Fact is, even if the Macintosh had 98% of the marketshare, it would still be as safe as it is now. Marketshare (currently between 5% and 9%, depending who you ask), has little to do with it.
In contrast, Windows has one component responsible for most virus and malware creation - VBS, Visual Basic Script. Microsoft could disable it, or overhaul it to eliminate of curb their security problems. The fact that they do not do so should tell you plenty how seriously they take security...
Quote: from Sarge on 7:33 am on Dec. 24, 2006
that is not to say Apple is totally safe from attacks. There was a story a few months ago that someone managed to create a virus that attacks OS X: Leap-A virus. Maybe this is a taste of things to come, as more and more disillusioned PC users switch to Mac so the more hackers will follow their trails.
Leap-A is not a virus (though may refer to it as such) but rather malware in the guise of a Trojan Horse. A Trojan Horse is a malicious program that masquerades as something else, but it also means that such a malware can only get on your system with significant help from you (a Virus, in comparison, self-replicates, often with little, if any, help from the user).
The only way you can get the Leap-A malware on your machine is if you take some action to put it there yourself. You might receive a file from a buddy in iChat, or download something from the Internet, or open an attachment to an e-mail message. The program code is presently hiding in what claims to be pictures.
Furthermore, while Leap-A existed, there are no reports of actual malicious consequences, and the Leap-A hole has quickly been plugged. In the end, with sufficiently gullible users, any social engineering method will work. That's not a sign of the operating system's weaknesses, though.
Quote: from Sarge on 7:33 am on Dec. 24, 2006
I’m assuming that I would need some sort of defence to keep hackers at arm’s length from my precious Macbook Pro, I see that Symantec (Norton security brand) retails a number of apps for Mac: Norton for Mac. Do you guys use any security apps?
Norton would be your worst chance - Norton has been known to actually weaken and compromise OS X systems more, due to several vulnerabilities that Norton refused to address for the longest time. Norton's answer was to suggest buying their product, but not to install it. Norton ain't getting my busienss.
I only turn on the internal firewall software on OS X, set it up in stealth mode (i.e. no scanning system will ever know there is a computer there), and that's it. Haven't run any protective software since I started running OS X, and never needed it.
Only reason to run a rudimentary virus checker is to extract and remove MS Word macro virii from mail attachments - even tough they won't do anything on the Mac.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:03 am on Dec. 24, 2006
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Skip
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As Daffy said:
The only way you can get the Leap-A malware on your machine is if you take some action to put it there yourself. You might receive a file from a buddy in iChat, or download something from the Internet, or open an attachment to an e-mail message. The program code is presently hiding in what claims to be pictures.
"Claims" being the keyword there. If you have your view file extensions turned it's pretty hard to be fooled by the maliscious.exe masquerading as.jpg 
Regards his other statement:
Furthermore, while Leap-A existed, there are no reports of actual malicious consequences, and the Leap-A hole has quickly been plugged.
Quickly here means just that: QUICKLY. The Apple average hovers around less than a seven day turn around from the time a 'potential' exploit is identified until they have a security patch loaded on their update site. A relatively teeny window of opportunity.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 4:09 am on Dec. 24, 2006
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Sarge
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I’m not totally sold to the notion that Mac OS X is inherently safe from malicious attacks or hacking. I think that aura of invincibility comes from two directions:
First and foremost OS X is indeed stable and well engineered software, due to its heritage with UNIX and complete integration with the hardware (the same people who design the system also create the OS) and that is the single biggest advantage over Windows. It’s like a car which has been built by two companies, one makes the engine and licence it to others to build the chassis around it. The sum of the two parts will never flawlessly harmonize with each other as if they were, conceptualised, designed and created by one single manufacturer. Whilst Macintosh computers and software are designed with elegant simplicity and ease of use in mind, the Windows is a bloated and convoluted piece of engineering, prone to bugs and recurrent crashes. Yes, it does look pretty here and there but friendly ain’t.
A few months ago I had upgraded to IE7 and whilst the new browser version brought some needed improvements (better security and tabbed pages etc..) it was so unreliable that it froze my computer and had to re-boot every now and then. Out of frustration I switched to Firefox and guess what? Everything works as it should, websites load much quicker and some of the videos I couldn’t download from the net now open up without fuss in Firefox. I’m kicking myself for not making the switch earlier, and I have a sneaking feeling that I’ll do the same once I own a MacBook Pro.
Secondly once the core customers base reaches the critical mass (to make the hackers, spammers and virus writers time worthwhile) of say 25% plus of worldwide computer users then we’ll see a concerted efforts to crack in the kernel and undermine security. Mac has inherited the industrial strength of UNIX OS, where the kernel provides services to start and stop programs, handle the file system and other common "high level" tasks that most programs share, and, perhaps most importantly, schedules access to hardware to avoid conflicts if two programs attempt to simultaneously access the same resource or device. In other words the OS uses a variety of small programs that can be chained together through a single command line. This is what differentiate UNIX based OS (Mac, Linux etc..) to rival other OS that use a single monolithic program that includes all of the same functionality. Having said all of that it didn’t stop hackers to successfully undermine servers and workstation of major corporations and organizations.
Getting back to more mundane considerations I find disconcerting when you guys say that security apps are surplus to requirement, waste of money really. I feel like the guy who has been drilled into his head the absolute need to switch on the alarm, lock and padlock the house upon leaving the premises (to stave off hordes of burglars, sharking around the neighbourhood) and then moving abroad only to be told that, in this new country, one can leave the front door unlocked and windows open. It’s hard to break habits of a lifetime, but hey I’m gearing myself up for this new experience.
Guys keep commenting on >>>
Sarge
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:26 pm on Dec. 24, 2006
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DaffyDuck
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While you are certainly correct that, as market share increases, more will turn their attention to efforts to compromise Mac OS X - but I will certainly not lose any sleep over it.
As you stated, the underpinnings of OS X are based on Unix, which shares a lot with Linux - it is unavoidable that as applications and files get updated, that various minor vulnerabilities surface. Nature of the beast, and all that. This is the reason behind Apple's frequent security updates (which are automatic, and very frequent). The difference is that 'vulnerability' does not mean 'live exploit', and that Apple has a track record of near lightning fast fixes for demonstrated and reported vulnerabilities (only beaten by Linux, where fixes are often released within hours of an exploit being discovered and announced).
Even with all of that, some kind of future exploit would still be extremely hard to accomplish, because every modification requires an admin password to be provided --- thus, even Leap-A that you meantioned, required that the user provide the administration password several times, before it could do anything.
Thus, the system will always be safe from unattended, unqualified exploits. Phishing and other socially engineered exploits may always be possible, but having them do any serious damage is just as difficult, if not impossible.
Lastly, if you will note, all the exploits on the Mac (all one of them) require the description, that the user be logged in as an administrator, or provider admin rights, or be physically sitting on the machine, in order to succeed. Fat chance remote spyware hackers will be sitting ON my Mac.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:25 pm on Dec. 24, 2006
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erikE
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My 50 cents,
I've used Windows on my personal PC all my life. 3 months ago I installed Ubuntu Linux as a dual boot option to XP. I have not booted in XP since then.
I did no security tweaking.
With a fresh XP install connected to the internet, you get flooded with worms an shit after 30 minutes.
Here I sit, 3 months later. No problems, no attacks (at least no attacks that killed me...).
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:47 am on Jan. 4, 2007
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Sarge
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Quote: from Skip on 1:51 am on Jan. 5, 2007
Headline:
Apple MacBook Pro wins InfoWorld magazine 2007 Technology of the Year Awards: Hardware
that's interesting, looking at the screenshot it says: MacBook Pro 2.66GHz 64-bit Intel Core 2 Duo CPU....
The fastest clock speed I know of (for MacBook Pro) is 2.33GHZ. Is this a new configuration or something available only to the American market?
Skip, good selection of links as usual 
Sarge
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:29 am on Jan. 5, 2007
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