Why Is a Mac More Secure than a PC?


One reason that Macs are more secure than other systems is that Apple has designed Mac OS X to be more secure than other operating systems you might immediately think of. For example, having to enter your administrator password to install software may seem like a bother sometimes, but it reduces the potential for dangerous software to install itself while you aren't paying attention.

In the Windows world, some people are advocating a switch to "least privilege" computing. That's where users have only the rights necessary to run the programs they are using. Users can't do things like install software and change settings, which is how the bad guys do their damage.

This seems like a no-brainer, except that many Windows programs require administrator rights just to run. This allows viruses and other malware to do all sorts of damage that would be impossible if only the more limited "user" rights were being enforced. I know that seems dumb now, but when Windows programmers first started writing their programs to require administrator rights, there weren't any threats to take advantage of this approach.

Partially because it's based on Unix and partially because of choices by Apple engineers, Mac OS X works in a "least privilege" manner without all the logging in and logging out. All it asks is that you occasionally enter your administrator password.

Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger also warns users when they download a program file, allowing them to head off many potential threats from downloaded software.

A second reason Mac OS X is more secure than Microsoft Windows is because the hobby hackers don't hate Apple and they do hate Microsoft. Writing a Mac virus isn't as likely to make the news or earn the respect of hacker buddies as doing something to bring the mighty Microsoft Windows to its knees.

The third and final reason is that Apple isn't a very big target. Let's say you are a criminal hacker and want to do something that commits as large a crime as possibleperhaps by spreading spyware. Which do you target: Windows or Mac OS X? The choice is obvious, and it's the one that criminals make.

However, if Apple gains some traction in the marketplace with the Mac mini and sales of Macs to iPod users, then the opportunities for foul play will increase, and Mac users will be faced with greater challenges than they must deal with today. This potential scenario is why I recommend that Mac users invest in commercial antivirus software and consider the purchase of a firewall if they are concerned that Apple's built-in firewall does not provide enough protection.



The Mac mini Guidebook A practical, hands-on book for everyoneincluding Windows usersmoving to Apple's compact computer
The Mac mini Guidebook A practical, hands-on book for everyoneincluding Windows usersmoving to Apple's compact computer
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Year: 2004
Pages: 146

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