Macs Can't Get Spam | Hacker News Reader

Macs Can't Get Spam

chronline.posterous.com

7 pointsjodoglevy4 comments

The quote from Apple's website that the author uses to condemn Apple as creating a false sense of security is a bit out of context. Apple isn't saying that they're immune to viruses. Rather, they go on to detail the exact security measures they're talking about.

"With virtually no effort on your part, OS X defends against viruses and other malicious applications, or malware. For example, it thwarts hackers through a technique called “sandboxing” — restricting what actions programs can perform on your Mac, what files they can access, and what other programs they can launch. With FileVault 2, your data is safe and secure — even if it falls into the wrong hands. FileVault 2 encrypts the entire drive on your Mac, protecting your data with XTS-AESW 128 encryption. Initial encryption is fast and unobtrusive. It can also encrypt any removable drive, helping you secure Time Machine backups or other external drives with ease. Other automatic security features include Library Randomization, which prevents malicious commands from finding their targets, and Execute Disable, which protects the memory in your Mac from attacks."

It goes on to detail Safari's antiphishing features, among other things.

I'm no Apple fanboy, but I don't think the quote cited by the author is enough to condemn Apple.

My goal was more to encourage users to be mindful when they use computers / the Internet, regardless of what OS they are on. But yes, to support my point I did aim some jabs at the OS that many consumers consider most safe, including the parent I quote in the post. But I in no way am trying to condemn Apple, just to say an OS can never be a full replacement for caution.

Also, with reference to your quote, the FileVault protection mentioned there in recently started storing passwords in plain-text, kind of supporting my claim even more :) http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Apple-OS-X-Lion-Update-Exp...

Thanks for the feedback.

> I'm no Apple fanboy, but I don't think the quote cited by the author is enough to condemn Apple.

Right but you can not deny his point that Apple is lulling people into a false sense of security. I love working on my iMac at work, it's easy and things don't break and I really don't worry too much about spyware and such. But it is my work computer, I don't go frolicking through 4chan or some other sites.

I use Linux and windows at home and Mac OS at work.

I have friends who switched over to Mac's because they just worked and virus' were not a problem. Though now if they get slammed with something, I can't wait to see them freak out. remember to `sudo rm -rf /`

If you think you dumbed that down for your friend's mom, you didn't. What you needed to explain is that "...your email is not attached to your computer -- you can have the same email on MANY computers..." and then tie in the fact that spam can happen on any computer because of that. Tell her it's JUST LIKE getting junk mail in a PO box with a forwarding address. The junk gets forwarded too.

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