Anyone verify this is true?

[phungy]

This is from a forum I frequent: YourSciontC.com

^^ completely disagree.

they are more stable than most of the PCs..or win based apps.

Actually, not true. I only need to point to open source programs in general to show how "stable" and "reliable" they are. My non-development machine is quite stable and has an uptime of over four months.

Also, as to the entire "viruses and spyware don't affect macs" myth... http://macscan.securemac.com/

There have been a wide variety of "proof of concept" viruses/exploits/spyware code that is floating around on the net that security companies have seen (and is readily available on a wide variety of sites). The scary thing? Apple hasn't released updates to fix a lot of these exploits, and they can still be taken advantage of. Also, how many people actively update their Apple OS and software compared to Windows? I think in the next year you'll see a wide influx of exploits for Mac-based systems simply because people will let their guard down and it's not as safe as most people think it is.

Apple hasn't taken a lot of the steps in OSX that Microsoft has in Vista to prevent these kinds of attacks. I can also have a more powerful and stable Windows machine for cheaper than I can have anything on an Apple-based system.

So ... how true is this?

 

[Eraserhead]

Well everyone updates their Mac as Software update in on by default to check weekly (so that is FUD).

Apple hasn't taken a lot of the steps in OSX that Microsoft has in Vista to prevent these kinds of attacks.

Seems to be a reasonable point, though

I can also have a more powerful and stable Windows machine for cheaper than I can have anything on an Apple-based system.

is also FUD, Macs will get a lot more stable when Leopard irons out the remaining Intel bugs.

The virus/spyware thing doesn't seem to really be an issue, the MacScan thing is a bit of a joke AFAIK.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

Yeah, there's loads of proof of concept nasties around, but none of it can spread itself. We had one thing a while ago that spread by IM and would mess with your files, but only if you put your password in a box that popped up. Pretty much all the others have to be installed on the computer by a user. So they're more like trojans rather than viruses.

Seriously, don't fall for all the FUD these people spread. They're happy thinking what they think, and nothing will convince them.

edit: There is an exploit for MS Office around at the moment that can apparently affect Macs, though to what extent isn't exactly known.

 

[phungy]

So it'd still be ok to purchase a Macbook right now or wait until Leopard fixes the remaining issues?

 

[SpookTheHamster]

So it'd still be ok to purchase a Macbook right now or wait until Leopard fixes the remaining issues?

You've got nothing to worry about. Go for it.

Then sit back and relax while your PC friends are busy with their antivirus software.

 

[Eraserhead]

So it'd still be ok to purchase a Macbook right now or wait until Leopard fixes the remaining issues?

Yes now is fine, IMO OS X on Intel is less stable (especially Apple Pages) than on PPC, but both are better than XP, but this is only one users opinion.

 

[Max Payne]

How can an intelligent person compare less than a hundred proof of concept vulnurability with more than 100,000 viruses roaming around freely?

 

[phungy]

You've got nothing to worry about. Go for it.

Then sit back and relax while your PC friends are busy with their antivirus software.

Thanks guys, that was really helpful and you both reassured me that buying a Macbook won't give me regrets.

 

[rstorm]

Nothing but FUD

 

[savanahrose]

excuse me, but what is FUD and IMO?

 

[aussie.damo]

excuse me, but what is FUD and IMO?

FUD: Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt
IMO: In My Opinion

Damo

 

[phungy]

Oops, I thought FUD meant Fouled Up Disinformation.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Actually, not true. I only need to point to open source programs in general to show how "stable" and "reliable" they are. My non-development machine is quite stable and has an uptime of over four months.

The point is, if he's talking about XP, sure it CAN stay up for months at a time, I've done it before, but that most uses can't do that before it crashes. Heck, I keep my laptop on (it runs XP) and it's fine, but it still requires a restart when I come home from college because it doesn't like doing a secure connection on my home router when it was booted up on my school's network.

 

[jholzner]

Well everyone updates their Mac as Software update in on by default to check weekly (so that is FUD).

Well, that's just not true. Sure it checks but you don't have to install anything. I have a friend who has a MacBook Pro and hasn't updated it once since she got it early this year. I tell her to and she just won't. Once I even started the download process before I left her place. I came over later to see that she canceled it!