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Letter To A Windows User: It Doesn't Have To Be This Way |
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 Dear Windows User,
It's time we had a talk. I really worry about you some days. With a new virus or worm seemingly every day, and all the security holes in one of Microsoft products (MSN Messenger and Outlook are two that Microsoft has warned about just this week), computing seems to really be a chore for you.
Well, it doesn't need to be that way. Mac OS X and Linux users don't worry about such things. OS X has zero known viruses and the various Linux/BSD disbtributions have very, very few. Mac and Linux users save a lot of time and headaches in not dealing with viruses and security issues. Spyware? It doesn't exist other than in the Windows world. Sure, there are a few security issues here and there, but Apple and/or the open-source community are very quick to fix them.
Life could be a lot more productive and fun for you if you cast away the anchor that is Windows. A lot of people tell me they hate computers or that their computer "has a mind of it's own". That person is always talking about a machine running Windows.
I'm not doing this solely for your good, I do have an ulterior motive. I don't want to receive hundreds of emails because your machine is being used as a spam zombie. I don't want to hear newscast after newscast tell me of the latest Windows problem. I don't want to hear you complain how all your files got wiped out and you had to format and reinstall Windows. I'd rather we both just "got stuff done".
If you really want to kick the habit, you can do it, it's not that hard! Just ask an informed Mac or Linux user, they'll be glad to help. The best people to talk to are probably former Windows users that have switched over. There are many 'switchers' on this site, so feel free to ask them in the comments, forums, or shoutbox. Another great place to start is the Surf-Bits website, run by a former Windows user. Apple also has a wealth of information for possible switchers on their site. Best of all, you could drop by your local Apple retail store, where you can play around with the equipment and see just how cool and easy everything is. Don't be afraid to ask the staff dumb questions, they're really nice and that's what they're there for.
I should also tell you that if you do want to switch, there are different reasons to go to either Linux or OS X. OS X is fun, easy to install and use, and has a treasure trove of applications that aren't available on Windows or Linux. With Linux, things can be a bit harder to configure, but you can run it on your existing hardware.
So please, for your sake and mine, don't take these viruses and security issues lying down, get up and do something about it! Only you can change your life, but all you've got to do is stand up and take that first step. We'll be there to help you the rest of the way.
Yours truly,
John C. Monahan |
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March 11 2004, 8:52 AM EDT, by
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Comments:
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| HTML Samurai |
3/11/04, 9:43 AM EDT |
Standing ovation!
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| Computers are not toys |
3/11/04, 10:17 AM EDT |
Keep preaching... only 97% more to go.
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| rlhamon |
3/11/04, 11:00 AM EDT |
'wiping tear from eye' I was one of those Windows fools once but I've changed my way's. i woke up one day and said I ready for a change. I'm ready to do something different.
That's the day I changed my mind on that Toshiba laptop and bought a G3 iBook. Since that wonderful day I've continued my cleansing and bought an iMac to remove my home made windows machine.
I've never looked back.
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| Moses |
3/11/04, 11:52 AM EDT |
We don't have to lie to make the case that Mac is better than Windows. OS X does have spyware and issues with viruses/trojans/worms... OS X can also pass Windows viruses and of course the OS 9 viruses do still run if Classic is launched or if the machine is rebooted into OS 9 for any reason.
FreeBSD has had issues with spam viruses and of course Mac mail servers can be used to relay spam if they are not properly configured.
As far as data being lost, google for 10.3 firewire bug...
That said, OS X is most definitely more secure than Windows... Take a look at the new 255 character passwords hashed with 1024 bit encryption for instance...
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/security/
Scan & remove Mac spyware
http://macscan.securemac.com/
http://www.makienterprise.com/kggg/kidsgogogo.html
Symantec SARC / Security Response - FreeBSD threats list:
http://search.symantec.com/custom/us/query.html
Mac OS X vulnerabilities (search for "OS X" 734 posts as of 3/11/04):
http://search.securityfocus.com/swsearch
Apple security updates (336 matches as of 3/11/04):
http://search.info.apple.com/?search=Go&lr=lang_en&kword=&q=secur ity%20update
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| HUH |
3/11/04, 1:56 PM EDT |
[Comment deleted due to abuse -- Admin]
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| rlhamon |
3/11/04, 2:02 PM EDT |
Well although you would make a great counter argument the problem is that your arguments are flawed.
First I wasn't aware that spy-ware removal tools was available for Mac so I downloaded KGGG because the other version wasn't available to be downloaded. As shocking as it may seem after the first time I checked my system this is what I found.
http://www.allencountyohiodemocrats.com/rl/spyware.tiff ,and
http://www.allencountyohiodemocrats.com/rl/spyware2.tiff .
So after my findings I moved onto your next mac issue.
I went to The Mac OS X vulnerabilities and well i did see some threads I surely didn't see 734 I actually seen 171 as of March 11 2004. After looking thru these threads I've Notice some iDisk concerns that iDisk will save your password in Mail.app and if you change the default setting a your password could be seen by another user on your system. That was the biggest issue with 10.3 the rest was about 10.2.8 root which has been fixed within three day's of the findings.
Apple Security Udates it surly does say 336 matches but you failed to mention that this search will find security patches from 10.0 to 10.3. 3 years worth of security fixes. You also failed to mention that many of the matches was duplicated security fixes which many of them was fixed with one patch. After further findings I did get a true number of security fixes 201 total which Apple could of release a patch to fix more than one security hole. I thought wow 201 but then I realized that this was going back to 10.0 four years worth of updates. I then searched further 45 Security holes was found in Internet Explorer a product that Apple didn't even create you subtract that number off and you'll have 156 total security fixes in a 4 year span which includes a first year release operating system.
The 255 character issue is funny that you mention that I believe that 2GAMMAW did a story about this as long as you didn't use the letter U 255 times your password wouldn't be hackable.
Your correct that Mac OS X can pass a virus to a Windows Machine if your sending a virus as an attachment. The Mac wouldn't be effected but Windows would.
As far as the FreeBSD threats that was a issue with free bsd own software update.
So all of my finding lead me two things taking the truth and twisting it can make you read something that's not there. Also unemployment has giving me way too much time.
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| HUH |
3/11/04, 2:05 PM EDT |
What?..an unemployed Mac user?
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| rlhamon |
3/11/04, 3:24 PM EDT |
Yea company closed and well just enjoying some time off.
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| sweetjimmyhugs |
3/11/04, 4:49 PM EDT |
I don't really understand the Mac bashing that goes on when someone points out that OS X doesn't have as many security issues as Windows. It's a fact that Windows has more issues than OS X, and bringing up old OS 9 viruses isn't really making any sense since the operating system at hand is OS X. I know plenty of people who don't even use classic at all, so bringing up 4+ year old crap is just plain stupid. OS 9 has more problems than just old viruses and worms, anyone still using it has my deepest sympathies. OS X isn't perfect, but it's a far cry better (faster, more secure, easier to use, prettier) than any version of Windows out right now.
I have never been happy with my Windows experiences, that's why I switched. I wanted to be able to do simple things and not have to wait for the computer. I don't wait for my Mac, my Mac waits for me. I also didn't want to worry about every virus/worm that pokes its head in my email. I don't even use any antivirus software on my computer, I don't need it. My Mac just works and that's the way it should be.
Linux is cool too.
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| GratuitousApple |
3/11/04, 4:49 PM EDT |
Dear Windows Users,
I don’t actually care if you switch to a Mac. I personally agree with the writer and think you’d be better off, but you know, it’s your decision. Maybe you like being able to buy a really low-priced no-name PC and you can manage somehow to keep your PC virus free and are content with Microsoft software. Maybe you understand all about registries and other arcane things and enjoy spending time with the intricacies of Windows tinkering. If that arrangement works for you, fine, it’s a free country. I happen to think that there are many other considerations to that equation, but that’s a decision I’ve made and yes, there are a few trade-offs. For one, I can’t play as many games on my Mac as you can on a PC, and some of my hardware and software choices are slightly more limited. For me, the trade-offs still make sense. I’m very happy with my decision.
For new computer users or computer users who just need a computer to do web and email and a few other things, but don’t want to spend countless hours facing a huge learning curve, without hesitation, get a Mac. I’ve seen far too many newby computer users buying their first PC and then facing massive frustration as the thing stops working as advertised. They then face either a huge learning curve or lots of calls to their PC expert friends to keep the whole thing functioning. And when they get their first virus, because somehow in the mass of new info that they had to digest, they missed the warnings about opening attachments, well, we all know what happens there. I believe the best choice for a newby is a Mac, they’ll be far happier.
That being said, one thing I would like PC users to understand is that a healthy Apple and a viable Mac platform (and Linux) are really good things for Windows users. Can you imagine the kind of tactics that your favourite convicted monopolist would be up to if they actually controlled 100 percent of the market? You’d be paying your monthly MS utility bill, just like they want. Any innovating that they currently engage in would slow to a crawl. Do you think they work on improving their OS out of the goodness of their heart? They would have no other OS to measure Windows against (and steal ideas from). If they had actually succeeded in wiping out Apple in the 90’s, right now the Windows Experience would still look like Windows 98, - maybe. Instead, they’re working on Longhorn to just try and keep pace with Apple’s OSX innovations. And if Longhorn lives up to what they’re promising, you’ll probably be happy.
So to those Windows users who lick their chops at the thought of what you believe to be Apple’s impending demise, be careful what you wish for, it could just come back to bite you.
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| Clue Giver |
3/11/04, 5:12 PM EDT |
Tell this guy to name one Mac OS X user who has had a worm, virus or spyware infection. I will bet they will not find a single verifiable case. After all there are NO viruses so how are you going to get infected!
Then ask him to find one person using Windows and connected to the internet who hasn't had a virus, worm or spyware. I will bet they will not find a single verifiable case.
If this doesn't make the case real for this guy then he deserves to use Windows. After all Mac users need these sorry fools for our entertainment. Love to watch em squirm every few days when once again they're screwed with yet another malware epidemic.
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| asdf |
3/11/04, 8:53 PM EDT |
the reason that ppl dont bother writing viruses for macs is cause too little are dumb enough to buy one. A security threat vs. crappy operating system for which many things other than viruses are not compatible. Ugh buncha "non-conformist" conformists.
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| JohnDoggett |
3/12/04, 12:03 AM EDT |
I think the guy (Moses) was saying that he is a Mac user too (he said We and also seemed pretty proud of the fact that OS X password scheme was better than windows.)
I personally know of two other Mac OS X users who have been hacked, one had VNC installed by a remote person who apparently guessed their filesharing password. Later the password was changed but the person was still able to remote control the Mac until we found the spyware. The other had a script installed that created a user and turned on sharing.
FreeBSD is what Darwin is based on, the FreeBSD threats do apply to OS X.
I went to:
http://search.securityfocus.com/swsearch
I typed:
"OS X" (quote-O-S-space-X-quote) and I got 734 matches.
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| msbob |
3/12/04, 12:51 AM EDT |
this site has a bunch of mac security notices.
http://www.securemac.com/
macscan spyware removal tool is also available on this page:
http://freaky.staticusers.net/update.shtml
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| superMac |
3/12/04, 1:48 AM EDT |
Uhhhhhhh wouldn't all of these qualify as os x spyware?????? there's also a ton for os 9.
MonitorerXPro
http://www.red-byte.com/
KeystrokeRecorder X
http://www.campsoftware.com/ksr.htm
KeyboardSpy
http://alphaomega.software.free.fr/keyboardspy/Keyboard%20Spy.htm l
TypeRecorder X
http://www.rampellsoft.com/sos/index.php?cid=product_catalog&prod uct_id=4
Spector for Mac OS X
http://www.spectorsoft.com/products/Spector_Macintosh/index.html< br />
KRec
http://www.silvernetwork.net/diordna/KRec.html
TyperLive
http://gbsoftware.bigmoron.com/
ViewRemote
http://www.viewremote.com/
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| osxvnc |
3/12/04, 1:54 AM EDT |
vnc is the shiznit it can be cloaked
http://www.redstonesoftware.com/vnc.html
if ya follow the directions they give for making it run at boot it does not show up in the dock or the force-quit list
its like timbuktu you can see everything the user is doing and you can also take over control any time you want and they have no idea its even running
it runs on mac and pc
also heres a site that lists vulnerabilities for osx just pick vendor Apple
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/vendor/
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| Jonahan |
3/12/04, 10:17 AM EDT |
Why do Windows users feel threatened when we point out the obvious? Why would I lie? What would I gain from it? What I wrote was from the heart and true. You don't wanna listen it it, that's fine, go somewhere else.
Now, to refute a few things...
Spyware (in my opinion) is not something that you install yourself on your own computer. Spyware (as I was referring to it) is software that is installed without your permission or knowledge and runs in the background sending who knows what to who knows where. So, Spyware, as it exists in the windows world, just doesn't exist in the Mac or Linux worlds. (The whole point is that I don't have to run an ad-aware program on OS X/Linux, but it's almost imperative on Windows)
Secondly, the security through obcsurity argument just doesn't hold water. The truth is that Linux/BSD/OS X are, in fact, inherently more secure than Windows. Do some research.
A few people mentioned there are security issues with OS X. Well yeah! Every piece of software is hackable (and yes an OS is software). Besides, I mentioned that in the article! So what gives? Here's what I said:
"OS X has zero known viruses and the various Linux/BSD disbtributions have very, very few."
"Sure, there are a few security issues here and there, but Apple and/or the open-source community are very quick to fix them."
The fact remains that what I said is true. Now, can you refute this:
"Mac and Linux users save a lot of time and headaches in not dealing with viruses and security issues."
Because that's the whole reason I wrote the article, anything else is just obscuring the issue.
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| Jonahan |
3/12/04, 10:21 AM EDT |
I just realized why people were referring to VNC/Timbuktu/Etc. This is NOT spyware. This is software that lets you do remote viewing or controlling of a computer. Spyware is a totally different beast.
See what I mean now? Spyware is so not a part of the Mac world that Mac users don't even know what it is!
More Spyware info here...
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| asdf |
3/12/04, 10:40 AM EDT |
Aladdin Systems makes Internet Cleanup for Mac OS X. It's like MacScan, it watches for spyware and removes it.
http://www.aladdinsys.com/mac/cleanup/index.html
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| johnnyreb |
3/12/04, 10:58 AM EDT |
Switchback virus for OS X:
http://www.lowendmac.com/lite/03/0813.html
Found this post about Mac viruses
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=23892#post23892
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| jonathan |
3/12/04, 12:39 PM EDT |
ok that switchback virus was a hoax :P
and for the fun one..
the mac-forums post "I was hacked recently (just before a previous format/reinstall) when a component named WildTangent (yeah, I'm talking MAC here)"
Alas, they don't make wildtangent for the mac.. it's pc only as the guy who founded it was an Ex-M$ employee.. really people you need to do some research .. sheesh
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| Jonahan |
3/12/04, 12:59 PM EDT |
GratuitousApple, good points. Bill himself has admitted that MS doesn't come up with updates to fix bugs, but instead to make money. So in essence, MS has you pay for the upgrade just to fix the bugs in the previous version.
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| rlhamon |
3/12/04, 3:47 PM EDT |
asdf I also have a great bridge in NY city of all places that you can buy for cheep.
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| whatever |
3/12/04, 4:59 PM EDT |
so which is it? are there or aren't there any viruses / trojans / worms / spyware for OS X ???
http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2001/08/06/hacker/
"This doesn't mean that Macs are free from virus concerns, or if a Mac gets a virus that the payload will be less significant," he explained. "There are a number of Mac specific viruses out there, and they can cause varying degrees of problems for Mac users."
The top four Macintosh specific viruses are:
* Mac.Simpsons@mm: an AppleScript worm that targets the Macintosh platform. It may open Microsoft Outlook Express or Entourage, and send a copy of itself with the original message to everyone in your address book. The name of the script is "Simpsons Episodes."
* SevenDust: There are six variants of this virus, including four polymorphic, encrypted ones. What they have in common is that they all infect applications by modifying MDEF and MENU resources, and they can create a System Extension (with an invisible character at the beginning of the name so it loads early) or add an INIT resource to the System file.
* CODE 9811: This virus spreads from application to application. When an infected application is launched, it searches for another application to infect and copies itself into that application. The contents of the original file are copied to an invisible file in the same folder whose name is composed of arbitrary upper case letters. The infected application also attempts to delete anti-virus software it finds in the default volume's root folder, or in the System, Control Panels or Extensions folders.
* MBDF: a virus that first appeared in 1992. The MBDF A strain originated from a Trojan Horse virus named Tetracycle. Additionally, MBDF A was found to be distributed in versions of Obnoxious Tetris and Ten Tile Puzzle.
The Simpsons virus can affect Mac OS X -- so can SevenDust, CODE 0911 and MBDF, but only in the Classic environment.
Then there are macro viruses. A macro virus is a macro (list of instructions) that masquerades as legitimate document. When a document infected with a Macro virus is launched, the virus contained in the file is released
"Most macro viruses aren't dangerous to Macs, but some are," Franklin said. "And even with the ones that aren't, Mac users can pass these onto PC users via e-mail attachments."
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| rlhamon |
3/12/04, 9:50 PM EDT |
wow your right these viruses will attack a mac ... a mac running os9. that's like me finding a virus that will attack dos and saying that it will affect windows 2000 or xp. guess what these viruses don't effect osx only os 9. so i guess the best way to state that a mac osx can be totally virus free is not to have os 9 classic with it. wow you really gave us a eye opener you found viruses that are 3 -4 years old.
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| rlhamon |
3/12/04, 10:33 PM EDT |
on another note osx can have a program that will contain a virus. virtual pc with windows will catch windows viruses. but like the viruses that will effect os9 it will only effect that particular operating system not osx.
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| dangerwillrobinson |
3/13/04, 2:33 AM EDT |
Actually isn't there a security advisory about VPC right now? It runs as root and thus any virus running in VPC can mangle your Mac drive if you have it "shared" on the pc...
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| whacker |
3/13/04, 12:30 PM EDT |
ya there is and another one about Classic having full root access under 10.2.8 and below.
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| Jonahan |
3/13/04, 2:58 PM EDT |
No one ever said OS X was impervious. The entire point is that with OS X/Linux, you have to worry about much less than with Windows. That's all folks!
=-)
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| sweetjimmyhugs |
3/13/04, 5:15 PM EDT |
I just want to make it an even thirty comments. Misson accomplished.
PS. Way to spin everyone up, Jonahan. Maybe next time you can cancel Christmas! :-)
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| okcalla |
3/13/04, 10:08 PM EDT |
i think i get it
1 mac OSX has NO known viruses
2 spyware doesnt exist in the mac world
3 vpc is shiitty at best and will only infect itself
4 the only known viruses are 4 yrs old and affect os9
5 seconedly you can be hacked if your retarted and open all of your ports
6 if you use a simple password people will guess it
7 spyware is not installed knowingly
8 spyware runs without being seen
9 spyware needs no permissions to run
so someone tell me if im wrong
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| HTML Samurai |
3/15/04, 8:44 AM EDT |
Nope, Sounds about right!
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| okcalla |
3/15/04, 9:03 AM EDT |
i knew it windows sux!!!!
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| Jonahan |
3/15/04, 10:23 AM EDT |
right on, okcalla, you said it brotha.
And sweetjimmyhugs, my bad, I should have said what okcalla did, but I was so confoosed by all the previous comments! OS X is pretty damn impervious, just sometimes is has a little pervious to it, but Apple gets out the de-pervifier and all is good again.
If you don't have crazy ports open and easily guessed passwords you're good, unless someone can get physical access to your 'puter. But, then if someone is sitting in front of ANY machine regardless of OS, they can hack it, so the point is moot.
Where are my pants?
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| sweetjimmyhugs |
3/15/04, 12:28 PM EDT |
Your pants are in the back seat of Eddie Murphy's car... The things you do to get money for a G5...
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| HTML Samurai |
3/17/04, 4:59 PM EDT |
Then who's pants are these?
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| Jonahan |
3/18/04, 12:00 PM EDT |
DOH!
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Deep Thoughts |
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The way I see it, kids need exercise more than they need ice cream. So when I worked as an ice cream man, driving an ice cream truck, I would try to drive fast enough that the kid couldn't catch me, but not so fast that he'd give up right away. Some kids will chase you for eight or nine blocks.
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