Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

fabrum

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 15, 2021
48
3
I hear it said often that macos cannot be infected with viruses, however the OS receives many bug fixes. For example, the latest update brought fixes related to image file handling. So, if viruses cannot be delivered through these manipulated image files then why is it necessary to perform bug fixes?
 

chrfr

macrumors G5
Jul 11, 2009
13,703
7,267
I hear it said often that macos cannot be infected with viruses, however the OS receives many bug fixes. For example, the latest update brought fixes related to image file handling. So, if viruses cannot be delivered through these manipulated image files then why is it necessary to perform bug fixes?
The statement that macOS can't be infected with viruses is simply wrong. Also, there are other types of vulnerabilities which would not be considered viruses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: planteater

SuperMatt

Suspended
Mar 28, 2002
1,569
8,281
Any software can have bugs in it; Apple is no exception to the rule. A bug is just anything that doesn’t work the way it should.

Viruses are code written by somebody else with the intent of damaging the system or inserting code to do something else nefarious. Apple has anti-virus software built-in and many other protections against such things, but they always have to keep updating it to stay ahead. Here’s their website on what they to do protect their users:

 

jdoyle

macrumors 6502
Jul 29, 2004
324
564
Also all software gets released with bugs. Software that has millions of lines of code gets tested and developers hope all the critical issues are found, however sometimes something unforeseen is discovered once released. Also there are schedules to stick to. So known issues are allowed to be released to the public if they are not deemed to be critical. Fixes are scheduled in to subsequent updates.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.