[ news_security_news ]
OS X Security
A.P. Lawrence
Contributing Writer
2006-04-27
 Security News RSS Feed
Apple Mac is a growing security risk. That theme has been popular recently. Mac's probably are a growing security risk (as opposed to Microsoft, which has a mature, fully grown security risk), but I doubt this baby is ever going to match Microsoft's size.
Link: Mac is growing security risk
First of all, Apple doesn't have the mess of code Microsoft has. OS X threw away backward compatibility in the interests of a new OS, and that's something Microsoft has never had the luxury of doing. Old features have to be accommodated in Windows, and that makes the OS bigger and more confusing. OS X is far from lean and mean, but it doesn't have to carry the baggage Windows OSes have.
Secondly, OS X has a Unix security model. A lot of Windows security problems would be completely avoidable if people weren't running wth Administrator rights. This isn't an OS issue; it's just what common practise is and common practise on Windows creates a more dangerous environment.
Finally, I think Microsoft is more universally disliked than anyone else. That they have been extraordinarily greedy and unprincipled is something even their staunchest supporters won't deny. I have no illusions that Apple wouldn't play just as dirty if they could, but they really haven't had the opportunity to be a nasty bully very often, and therefore haven't attracted nearly as much dislike and disgust. I therefor suggest that more people are looking for Microsoft exploits and may be less likely to be helpful by sharing them with the white hats.
On the other hand, it's all but certain that Microsoft has employees actively searching for OS X exploits in order to help cast mud at the perception of better security. However, that strategy isn't so great: the exploits don't do much good as mud unless you make them public (through other channels, of course), but that helps Apple debug its code, making the OS better.
Overall, I just don't see OS X or Linux attaining the heights of Microsoft insecurity. That's not saying there will not be more problems, and some could be serious. I just don't see it getting as bad as Microsoft.
*Originally published at APLawrence.com
Add to | DiggThis | Yahoo! My Web
About the Author:
A.P. Lawrence provides SCO Unix and Linux consulting services http://www.pcunix.com
More news_security_news Articles
Security News RSS Feed
|
|
RSS
Archive
Contact Us
Advertise
