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

No Virus Software

4DThinker said:
Antivirus software works three ways (or more). It tries to prevent known viruses from installing on your system and updates itself daily or more often with the latest info. Secondly, it looks for virus-like behavior, as most viruses use variations on the same strategy to attack a device. Lastly, for a virus that gets on your device before the anti-virus detects it, the antivirus can usually find and remove the virus once it IS known about. Those 3 stragies have kept my Dos/Windows systems free from nasties for the last 30 years.

So saying no antivirus software could prevent/protect against an iPhone/iPad virus is only true if no antivirus software is available for that OS.
Click to expand...

I would argue that someone like yourself, fairly educated on the matter, probably practices safe computing to begin with. Prior to switching over to Mac completely, I NEVER ran antivirus software on windows (anti spyware, yes). But I also didn't visit screwy sites or open attachments I wasn't expecting. I didn't download cracked software or visit any site with the word warez in it. I didn't visit porn sites, and not because I'm a prude, but because many of them will infest your PC with a variety of nefarious nasties in about 30 seconds.

The very basics of Mac, without even going into all the geek stuff, is that no software can be installed on your machine without you "approving" it yourself and confirming you want to install it. Visit trusted sites, don't open unexpected attachments and don't pirate software and you've got a pretty good chance of staying safe. And the iPad is locked down even tighter.

Oh, and not to mention, there are no Mac viruses ;)
 
Aduntu said:
For every one of you brilliant individuals claiming that viruses do not exist on macs, please explain why Apple sells Norton antivirus software.....for macs.
Click to expand...

mrcc said:
The p eople who say there's no viruses for macs. They don't know what there talking about.http://milw0rm.com/platforms/osX). According to a few hackers the Mac os is more vulnerable than windows.
Click to expand...

Just one link to an article proving that an actual virus has been found in the wild, and it was demonstrated to infect Macs running OS X. Not hearsay from "a few hackers", not some random list of outdated exploits, not the fact that Apple chooses to sell a piece of software. Find one article that details where someone's Mac was infected with an actual virus that didn't require the user to download some suspicious file and then type their password granting root access. That's all it will take to shut up all those in this thread claiming that such a thing doesn't exist.

I won't hold my breath waiting on it.
 
GamecockMac said:
Just one link to an article proving that an actual virus has been found in the wild, and it was demonstrated to infect Macs running OS X. Not hearsay from "a few hackers", not some random list of outdated exploits, not the fact that Apple chooses to sell a piece of software. Find one article that details where someone's Mac was infected with an actual virus that didn't require the user to download some suspicious file and then type their password granting root access. That's all it will take to shut up all those in this thread claiming that such a thing doesn't exist.

I won't hold my breath waiting on it.
Click to expand...

You're missing a huge, and very critical, point here.

99.99% of people never download a virus/malware on purpose. It comes camouflaged in some other type of software they believe to be safe. You keep arguing that people have to grant root access to install something, so therefore it's not really a virus. What the heck is wrong with your brain? It's still a virus, regardless of how it gets installed.

Despite what you might think, you aren't proving any point here.
 
Aduntu said:
It comes camouflaged in some other type of software they believe to be safe. You keep arguing that people have to grant root access to install something, so therefore it's not really a virus. What the heck is wrong with your brain? It's still a virus, regardless of how it gets installed.

Despite what you might think, you aren't proving any point here.
Click to expand...

Actually, by definition, those other things you mention are not viruses. They are trojans or spyware, etc. Viruses are things that spread without any user interaction. If the user has to do something to install it, then it is probably a trojan, i.e. something they think is harmless that actually isn't. Security from viruses depends on the OS not providing any vulnerabilities. Security from trojans or spyware is up to the user to be 100% sure that what they are installing is legitimate, or in the case of the App Store- up to Apple to make sure it's legitimate.
 
admanimal said:
Actually, by definition, those other things you mention are not viruses. They are trojans or spyware, etc. Viruses are things that spread without any user interaction. If the user has to do something to install it, then it is probably a trojan, i.e. something they think is harmless that actually isn't. Security from viruses depends on the OS not providing any vulnerabilities. Security from trojans or spyware is up to the user to be 100% sure that what they are installing is legitimate, or in the case of the App Store- up to Apple to make sure it's legitimate.
Click to expand...

I totally understand the difference, and agree with you. However, for the sake of the average user, they couldn't care less whether it's a virus, trojan, spyware, adware, rootkit, or popsicle.

That said, there are literal viruses that affect macs--however insignificant or rare they may be.
 
Stop behaving like morons. This thread isn't about OSX, it's about the iPad. The iPad can not receive a virus. If you hack your iPad, anything that happens to it, is your own damn fault.
 
mrcc said:
The p eople who say there's no viruses for macs. They don't know what there talking about.http://milw0rm.com/platforms/osX). According to a few hackers the Mac os is more vulnerable than windows.
Click to expand...

You provided a link to a list of vulnerabilities in various pieces of software running on Mac OS X or in Mac OS X itself over the years. What has that got to do with the existence Mac OS X viruses and in particular iPhone OS (ARM arch) viruses?

Vulnerability ≠ Virus. Code demonstrating vulnerabilities ≠ Virus. Self replicating/distributing implementation of malicious code based upon vulnerabilities with the ability to cause damage to a host = Virus.
 
Aduntu said:
I totally understand the difference, and agree with you. However, for the sake of the average user, they couldn't care less whether it's a virus, trojan, spyware, adware, rootkit, or popsicle.

That said, there are literal viruses that affect macs--however insignificant or rare they may be.
Click to expand...

NO. THERE. ARE. NOT.

Look, just quit with this nonsense. You don't have a shred of proof to back up this line of garbage you're trying to spin here. You and everyone else making this claim have been asked over and over to simply provide one link to one story of a Mac user running OS X having their computer infected by an actual virus. You can't do it. Period.

I don't care what happens to Mac users who are downloading what they think is pirated software from torrent sites, and then find themselves infected with a trojan when they try to use it. I don't care what happens to Mac users who are surfing sketchy porn sites and download what they are told is a codec they will need to view some smut, and then grant that "codec" root access. The fact is that none of these situations involve VIRUSES, and the best security on Earth won't stop some users from being stupid/greedy/etc. and falling victim to social engineering.
 
GamecockMac said:
NO. THERE. ARE. NOT.

Look, just quit with this nonsense. You don't have a shred of proof to back up this line of garbage you're trying to spin here. You and everyone else making this claim have been asked over and over to simply provide one link to one story of a Mac user running OS X having their computer infected by an actual virus. You can't do it. Period.

I don't care what happens to Mac users who are downloading what they think is pirated software from torrent sites, and then find themselves infected with a trojan when they try to use it. I don't care what happens to Mac users who are surfing sketchy porn sites and download what they are told is a codec they will need to view some smut, and then grant that "codec" root access. The fact is that none of these situations involve VIRUSES, and the best security on Earth won't stop some users from being stupid/greedy/etc. and falling victim to social engineering.
Click to expand...

The simple fact that you feel the need to so strongly distinguish between malware and viruses shows how completely ignorant and uneducated you are on this topic. You're grasping at straws to make a point, and still not doing that successfully.

You say I haven't got a shred of proof, yet I provided plenty of proof to support my claim. If Apple truly believed there were absolutely no viruses capable of infiltrating their OS, they would have no need to insult themselves by selling antivirus software. They also do not feel the need to distinguish between malware and viruses. Now, you've proven that you cannot digest that concept, but that doesn't mean others cannot.
 
For anyone else with doubts... These quotes come directly from Apple.

Although the Macintosh operating system is not affected by most viruses, the mail server detection process also targets Microsoft Windows-based viruses.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2076
Click to expand...

Apple Recommends for...

Protecting your Mac from all known Mac viruses and malware.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H0564LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mw&mco=MTcwMzc0Mzg
Click to expand...

Apple Recommends for...

Giving your Mac even more protection from viruses, worms and similar software threats.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1076LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mw&mco=MTc2NzgyOTM
Click to expand...
 
Aduntu said:
For anyone else with doubts... These quotes come directly from Apple.
Click to expand...

And all your quotes still don't prove a damn thing.

Name one of those viruses. Go on. If Apple made mention of them in these ads in their store, it should be easy for you to provide the name of just one, and give us a link to an article that discusses it.

We're still waiting. And you still can't do it. So sad to see a person who has lost their grasp on reality.

Aduntu said:
The simple fact that you feel the need to so strongly distinguish between malware and viruses shows how completely ignorant and uneducated you are on this topic. You're grasping at straws to make a point, and still not doing that successfully.

You say I haven't got a shred of proof, yet I provided plenty of proof to support my claim. If Apple truly believed there were absolutely no viruses capable of infiltrating their OS, they would have no need to insult themselves by selling antivirus software.
Click to expand...

The simple fact that you feel the need to so strongly insist that there is no substantive difference between malware and viruses shows how completely ignorant and uneducated you are on this topic. You've been grasping at that particular straw in a failed attempt to make your fallacious point, despite the numerous people who have taken you to school on that issue throughout this thread.

Your proof that viruses exist in the wild capable of infecting Macs running OS X is that Apple accepts payment from companies to feature their products on their webstore? Seriously? That's the best "proof" you can come up with? You do realize that a person can purchase alien abduction insurance? Yes, there are actually people in this world willing to make a buck off of other peoples' fears. Shocking I know, but it hardly proves the existence of extraterrestrial life.
 
If you know how to use a computer safely it's really hard to get a virus on a Windows machine, getting one on OSX (any version including iPad) is infinitely harder. Seriously, you could go to a virus infested site on a OSX machine and you would be fine.
 
Aduntu said:
For every one of you brilliant individuals claiming that viruses do not exist on macs, please explain why Apple sells Norton antivirus software.....for macs.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1076LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA1Mw&mco=MTc2NzgyOTM
Click to expand...

Because there are companies that don't allow people to use their own laptops for example to work from home unless there is anti-virus software installed. So if your boss says "You can't use your MacBook to work from home unless you have anti-virus software on it", then you know and I know and Apple knows and Norton knows and perhaps even your boss knows that Norton Antivirus is a completely useless piece of crap that should never come near any Mac, but you still buy it and install it.
 
GamecockMac said:
The simple fact that you feel the need to so strongly insist that there is no substantive difference between malware and viruses shows how completely ignorant and uneducated you are on this topic. You've been grasping at that particular straw in a failed attempt to make your fallacious point, despite the numerous people who have taken you to school on that issue throughout this thread.

Your proof that viruses exist in the wild capable of infecting Macs running OS X is that Apple accepts payment from companies to feature their products on their webstore? Seriously? That's the best "proof" you can come up with? You do realize that a person can purchase alien abduction insurance? Yes, there are actually people in this world willing to make a buck off of other peoples' fears. Shocking I know, but it hardly proves the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Click to expand...

You are freaking hilarious.

Apple's own support documents refer to known Mac viruses. Refer to the first link I gave, because you've obviously decided to ignore that. That support document isn't selling a single thing.

I don't need to try to find some "article" to prove that Mac viruses exists. Apple has already done that, in multiple places.

How about you supply a credible source to support your claim? FYI, blogs don't count.
 
Aduntu said:
For anyone else with doubts... These quotes come directly from Apple.
Click to expand...

GamecockMac said:
And all your quotes still don't prove a damn thing.

Name one of those viruses. Go on. If Apple made mention of them in these ads in their store, it should be easy for you to provide the name of just one, and give us a link to an article that discusses it.

We're still waiting. And you still can't do it. So sad to see a person who has lost their grasp on reality.
Click to expand...


You are right. Symantec spent $$$ developing an antivirus product for the OS X platform for the sole purpose of consumer fraud.
 
Aduntu said:
You are freaking hilarious.

Apple's own support documents refer to known Mac viruses. Refer to the first link I gave, because you've obviously decided to ignore that. That support document isn't selling a single thing.

I don't need to try to find some "article" to prove that Mac viruses exists. Apples already done that, in multiple places.
Click to expand...

So now this is your last shred of proof?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2076

Although the Macintosh operating system is not affected by most viruses, the mail server detection process also targets Microsoft Windows-based viruses.
Click to expand...

That's one of the vaguest statements I've ever seen, and I'm sure Apple Legal won't let the company put things into actual print like "there is absolutely no way you'll ever get a virus on your Mac", because no one knows the future and we live in a very litigious society. That still doesn't explain why you can't produce the name of a single virus for Mac OS X. I mean, if they exist in the wild, and are infecting Macs, then it should be a piece of cake to find one link on the entire internet that talks specifically about such a virus, and what it does to your Mac. But you can't find anything like that (not for desperate lack of searching, I'm sure), and trust me, news of such a virus would be easy to find, because there are many people praying for it to happen so they can rub Apple's face in it. Why can't you produce a single link to something that details a specific Mac OS X virus? Because no such thing exists. I don't have to provide proof of a negative, for the same reason I don't need to provide proof that the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns don't exist, no matter how much people like you living in their own fantasy world might believe in them.

You've been owned over and over and over again by several people in this thread who possess more knowledge than you on this topic. Feel free to reply again (I know you won't be able to resist) with some pathetic attempt to prop up your utter mess of an argument, but do it with the certain understanding of one simple fact...YOU FAIL.
 
The reason coders produce viruses / malware is now more driven by money than damage ... botnets etc are producing money otherwise they wouldn't exist...

So you have to ask yourself which are the best targets in the world to spread and what can be had if you infect them...

Windows PC's = 80-90% worldwide PC use ... therefore its a clear target ... lots of potential
Mac OSX = some % of the remainder (not all since there is linux etc) so what value can be had - a lot less

Same for mobile phones ... what would happen if you managed to introduce some malware onto an iPhone ... does the amount of effort, the ease of transmission and rewards result in a worthwhile balance...

iPhone might be popular but its not the biggest target either ... plenty of others out there and more open platforms (windows mobile, symbian etc) that have been around for years ... and while there has been some viruses written for those platforms its nowhere near as prevalent ..

Given the likes of Android etc i can see that (now its starting to really gain some momentum) being a much easier target space since its open-source than iPhone OS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back