Malware still snubs OS X, loves Windows

BJ: The top ten viruses attacking computer users in the first half of 2006 attacked Windows installations.

None targeted Mac OS X.

But you didn’t need Sophos to tell you that.

Hammering home his point, Graham Cluley, senior tech consultant at Sophos said, “Hackers seem happy to primarily target Windows users and not spread their wings to other platforms.”

Is it because:

• OS X’s BSD-based security model is better;
• Windows users run as Administrator while OS X users don’t, or;
• Windows sells 95 copies for every 4 copies of OS X?

Yes… Yes… and Yes.Regardless of the reasons Windows suffers more than OS X, Cluely concludes, “It seems likely that Macs will continue to be the safer place for computer users for some time to come - something that home users may wish to consider if they’re deliberating about the next computer they should purchase.”

Users, of course, must also consider equipment speed, longevity, and price when shopping.

Email Battles Backgrounder:

• Apple’s Ready To Take On Microsoft… Almost; Email Battles; 15 June 2006.
• Vladfire erupts on MacBook Pro users; NewsByte; Email Battles; 22 May 2006.
• Researcher: Digital Signatures Can Lie To Linux, OSX and Windows Users; Email Battles; 01 May 2006.
• Malware overruns Windows; Apple to the rescue; NewsByte; Email Battles; 06 April 2006.
• Apple worries that fans won’t follow its Intel migration; NewsByte; Email Battles; 09 March 2006.
• Network World columnist gets Apple in his eye; NewsByte; Email Battles; 06 March 2006.
• Want to swallow the OS X worm? Roll up your sleeves.; NewsByte; Email Battles; 16 February 2006.
• Surprise! OS X Isn’t Fort Knox.; NewsByte; Email Battles; 26 January 2006.
• Mac OS-X not as safe as you think; NewsByte; Email Battles; 30 November 2005.

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