What if spyware attacked Macs?
PC Magazine’s John Dvorak predicts a dim future for the Mac
community should it be beset by spyware attacks the way Windows users currently are. He says the level and
virulence of spyware has reached a crisis point for Windows users, and that national media is unaware and not covering
the story because ‘many mainstream media tech writers are Mac users.’ (Shouldn’t it be a sign that folks knowledgeable
about tech are choosing the Mac?! Anywho…)
That seems like a simplistic analysis to me. It seems more likely that mainstream media isn’t covering the spyware
scourge because they get some significant amount of advertising dollars from Microsoft and may be ‘discouraged’ from
covering the story. What do you think?
Is it likely the Mac will ever get hit with spyware? It seems to be that most Mac developers would have a computing
philosophy that is 180 degrees away from coding such drivel. Any thoughts on this?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom Edwards said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
Many people say that the reason there's no spyware or viruses for Mac is because not enough people use it. I say that's pants.
Apache is the most popular server in the entire world, many sites depend on it. So why aren't there viruses and Trojans that attack Apache? Because it's secure; and so are Macs.
But that could be just a theory and I'm talking out of my
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Steve's Job said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
OS X doesn't allow apps to be installed willy-nilly like Windows.
The only way to get malware to propagate throughout the OS X user base is to create some kind of trojan that uses social eng. techniques to get the victim(s) to install it.
However, distribution of such malware would prove difficult, as trojan files downloaded from well-known sites would be easily traceable, and trojaned files from less 'legit' sources (p2p, warez) would be quickly branded as such by the geeky types that would even download from those sources.
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Kevin Ballard said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
There's a few reasons that Windows computers are so infected with Spyware:
1) It's really easy to get IE to silently install your spyware
2) Windows is pretty insecure. A recent study found that a fresh, unpatched Windows box, when connected to the internet, had an average life of 4 minutes before being compromised.
3) Windows users are used to it. They accept it.
The biggest reason Macs will never have spyware is because the Mac community simply won't accept it. If any company ever tried to install spyware on your Mac, they would immediately lose all their business as nobody would buy from them again. Add that to the fact that the entire Mac developer community can be safely said to be against spyware means the Mac is a safe haven.
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jbelkin said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
Doesn't the Adobe PS 7.0 "call to home" to check on your serial number fall under the definition 'spyware' - I don't think it's mentioned anywhere in the app or the instructions. It's old news - look in APP SUPPORT> ADOBE> WEB (something). You can toss all those files - I have not bothered to upgrade so I'm not sure if it's still true ... of course, Adobe also has sold us an photo program that presumes if you scan in currency, you're a counterfeiter ... even though the US Treasury (on their website) CLEARLY states that it's okay to reproduce one side of currency, use it for illustration purposes and of course, NOT pass it off as legal tender ... but hey, Adobe thinks they know better than the US Treasury dept.
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Pat said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
Spyware, like spam, revolves around profit. If some group thinks that they can develop and deploy spyware and make money with it, it will happen. The main thing keeping those development costs high, as previously mentioned, is the lack of an easy install system (IE/ActiveX). It has nothing to do with mac developers being more ethical. It has everything to do with economics.
As to Dvork's "comments" on the liberal, err, I mean Mac-using media missing the big story...what big story John? What are the headlines? "Majority of Windows Users Duped" "Windows Too Insecure" "Format and Re-install, Oh and Backup Too"
It's classic Dvorak. Throw out some garbage, bash a mac or two, and let the letters flow in. Then he can sit back and say, "They read me! They really read me!"
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BoSox04 said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
Um yeah. So I am 100% sure that if you set your mind to it, you could build a sucessful spyware program for the mac. Remember that most spyware is actually installed by the user, bundeled with software they actually want. People install it because no one reads the ELA to see what is being installed.
And the mainstream press afraid to cover spyware because Microsoft is a big advertiser? Do you watch TV? They represent small dollars compared with Drugs, Beer, Soda, Clothing. I would argue isn't covered because spyware is hard to talk about in a coherent 2 minute piece on the CBS evening news, and it isn't interesting to the non tech savvy.
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Kosingigglephits said 4:14PM on 6-16-2005
First of all you are all correct to a certain point (And here is another angle on it). Yes Mac users have not really had to worry about Spyware or viri like Windows users have. The biggest thing to take into consideration is who is behind the majority of Spyware, "AD AGENCIES". The whole point behind spyware is for companies (AD AGENCIES) to find out what you the consumer are interested in so they can cater to your needs (While compromising your privacy). Spyware is a new term but the whole process has been around for years. Look at the Nielson Ratings. Not only do they tell us what the most popular shows are but they also track what ads we leave on and what ones we flip through. Have you stopped to think why those Super bowl ads are so expensive not to mention all the hype they receive before the Super bowl? Another form is the sponsors of a show. Home Depot comes to mind with their sponsorship of Trading Spaces hosted by the adorable Paige Davis. When they cut to there Promotional consideration by that is an example of Adware. Its in essence an ad placed in the middle of a show (a.k.a. web page) forcing you to watch (a.k.a. look) at it.
As for viruses using this route to spread. Well thats just plain malicious coders trying to look cool to their friends. LOL Have we seen any real good viri lately? I think I remember seeing one that was written to actually hunt down the Code Red virus and kill it. But it never got much love from the media. (Oh wait that would be a positive thing being reported, we cant have that!)
How can it be stopped? Well, we can stop buying stuff but who really wants to give up their materialistic ways? LOL I dont know the answer but I can encourage everyone to continue the good fight, support the developers of anti-spyware software, contact the ad agencies and tell them how you feel about their intrusiveness and how you will boycott their products, and finally contact your Congress and Senators and let them know how you feel about all of this and urge them to pass legislation regulating or banning this type of behavior.
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