Macs get viruses?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Abner, Jul 19, 2016.

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  1. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Damn it! I guess I need to call Shen. My wife's Mac said something about a virus, and it seems to be running slower now. Geez!!!!!!!!!!
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Don't you all have Apple stores for things like that? I thought that was part of the point of paying more?
     
  3. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member


    The point of paying more was for social smugness Pokémon points and to signal our superior virtue to the right kind of Brahmin class that we want to belong to. This guy...Apple store support...good grief ;)


    <-------- proud iPhone 6s+ owner and superior all around person.
     
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    No, the point of paying more is to make Apple Corp. rich. Mac malware? Yeah -- for years. Flashback, KitM.A, Rootpipe...

    A Quote: “Mac OS X software has more high-risk vulnerabilities than all versions of Windows put together,”

    http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/can-macs-get-viruses/

    J.
     
  5. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Isn't the main reason why there are less viruses targeting Macs is because of their historically very low market share?
     
  6. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Sure. It's #2 on the list of reasons, here: Do Apple Macs get viruses? I'm all for making it #1 - but what do I know? :smile:

    As the article points out - market share is increasing, so is malware.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2016
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    There will always be Linux. :wink:
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    it's my favourite, Steve - but as this Linux article says, "Any computer that is attached to a network is not immune to viruses." https://www.linux.com/learn/myth-busting-linux-immune-viruses

    Linux started life as a UNIX work-alike, completely written without stealing any of the original UNIX code.
    Apple's OS-X is "a UNIX operating system built on technology that had been developed at NeXT..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_OS_X

    So, Windows, Linux, Unix or whatever Operating System - there's bad stuff out there. Plus, as I'm sure you know, all new Linux installations need to be "hardened" because at the very least, snoopers will come around port-sniffing etc...

    BTW - my favourite live Linux distro is called "Macpup." It's free, has a very nice functionality and super appearance - in just over 200 meg. with quite a few apps.

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2016
  9. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Those who boast that Macs, Linux, etc. are immune from viruses, malware, etc., are only kidding themselves. So lets have a group hug, laugh with our fellow computer users, and realize that no brand is immune from infection.
     
  10. Neuhaus

    Neuhaus Well-Known Member

    I'm a mac user. I don't recall ever believing that my computer was "immune" from viruses. It just so happens that, historically, viruses were written for PCs and not Macs. As sanantone said, it had more to do with market share and trying to get the most damage with your script.

    That's not the same thing as being "immune" from all viruses. It's like not being able to catch feline HIV and thinking that means you can't contract "regular" HIV.
     
  11. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    And Android. Yeah, don't forget the Android operating system. Google purchased Android Corp. in 2005. Android consists of a modified Linux kernel with specialized libraries and APIs. A couple of weeks back, 10 million devices (including my son's phone) were infected with the Hummingbad virus.

    J.
     
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I think you're a bit late to the party, RAM, but that's perfectly OK. I've read through and I don't believe anybody suggested that their favourite OS was virus-immune. I'm pretty sure Steve mentioned Linux in the context of low market share, like Apple. But certainly, have the hug and a good laugh. Pour yourself a drink, if you like. I'd join you in the festivities, but maybe later. I'm too busy running my antivirus programs right now... :smile:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 20, 2016
  13. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Why is my non Apple Mac PC getting a Apple Software update?

    Seems suspicious! Of course, there is no way I am downloading it. I just ignore it. It does come up in "All programs" under my windows 7, and I right click to remove, though it comes back eventually. Oh well, so far, it has not been a problem, and my very good malware program constantly runs scans and my system is virus free.

    If it turns out to be a problem, I will have Shen my computer guy permanently remove it, just like how he removed pop ups from appearing in my system trying to get me to upgrade to windows 10.
     
  14. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member


    That's likely an update for iTunes and QuickTime. Not a virus.
     
  15. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Oh! Shew! Thanks!!!!!!!!!! That makes me feel a whole lot better. :smile:
     
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Exactly. By design, Linux is probably better than Windows at security, but I would never claim it's perfect. If any OS is bulletproof, it's OpenBSD. Two remote holes in the default install over the last two decades, sure, but good luck finding the third one.
     

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