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As far as your platform argument goes, Flash and Reader are as inherently insecure on Mac OSX as on Windows ... maybe even worse as exploited at Pwn2Own. That P

As far as your platform argument goes, Flash and Reader are as inherently insecure on Mac OSX as on Windows ... maybe even worse as exploited at Pwn2Own. That Platform argument kind of falls on its face.

acqq 16y ago
Of course it doesn't fall. Try to count the number of IE toolbars for Windows, then try to count for Mac. Try to count the number of antivirus programs for Windows, then for Mac. Try to count how many shell extensions are installed with different programs. How many file handlers etc. On every Windows computer the attack surface is unbelievably bigger, unless you're very untypical user. But even more important reason for increased "Windows platform insecurity" is the economy -- evildoers can control much more computers (and make more money) if they invest the time to make Windows trojans. On the other side, I believe that if we just look at the Apple software for Mac delivered by default and the Microsoft software delivered with the OS, Apple is more vulnerable -- Microsoft really does much more security work on the core (in invested man hours per lines of code of the core) and delivers less functionality than Apple by default -- even a mail client is not an official part of Windows 7, that's good trick to have more secure default OS package. Still if you use Windows you're much more likely to fall victim, and it will remain so for a quite while.
- desigooner 16y ago
  the "Mail Client not being an official part of Windows 7" bit can be attributed to the lawsuits and antitrust litigations... As far as falling victims for the near future, according to a CNet article (amongst others): Ninety percent of critical Microsoft Windows 7 vulnerabilities can be mitigated by configuring the operating system for standard user rather than administrator, according to a new report released on Monday. On the other hand, it was recently reported that free apps and screensavers on Mac contained embedded malware . My point is: doesn't matter what platform you use, the weakest link is the user especially if one keeps clicking on any link or attachment without being sensible + cautious ..
  - acqq 16y ago
    Re: "embedded malware for Mac": let's count the number of malware waiting to trick you to come to your PC with Windows OS. Than do the same for Mac. For Windows it's certainly hundreds of thousands, if not millions, every kid writes them, there are even enough "no-need-to-know-programming" kits. From Macs the number is, I'm guessing now, tens at most? It does matter, an it matters a lot, what platform you use.

acqq 16y ago

Of course it doesn't fall. Try to count the number of IE toolbars for Windows, then try to count for Mac. Try to count the number of antivirus programs for Windows, then for Mac. Try to count how many shell extensions are installed with different programs. How many file handlers etc. On every Windows computer the attack surface is unbelievably bigger, unless you're very untypical user. But even more important reason for increased "Windows platform insecurity" is the economy -- evildoers can control much more computers (and make more money) if they invest the time to make Windows trojans. On the other side, I believe that if we just look at the Apple software for Mac delivered by default and the Microsoft software delivered with the OS, Apple is more vulnerable -- Microsoft really does much more security work on the core (in invested man hours per lines of code of the core) and delivers less functionality than Apple by default -- even a mail client is not an official part of Windows 7, that's good trick to have more secure default OS package. Still if you use Windows you're much more likely to fall victim, and it will remain so for a quite while.

desigooner 16y ago
the "Mail Client not being an official part of Windows 7" bit can be attributed to the lawsuits and antitrust litigations... As far as falling victims for the near future, according to a CNet article (amongst others): Ninety percent of critical Microsoft Windows 7 vulnerabilities can be mitigated by configuring the operating system for standard user rather than administrator, according to a new report released on Monday. On the other hand, it was recently reported that free apps and screensavers on Mac contained embedded malware . My point is: doesn't matter what platform you use, the weakest link is the user especially if one keeps clicking on any link or attachment without being sensible + cautious ..
- acqq 16y ago
  Re: "embedded malware for Mac": let's count the number of malware waiting to trick you to come to your PC with Windows OS. Than do the same for Mac. For Windows it's certainly hundreds of thousands, if not millions, every kid writes them, there are even enough "no-need-to-know-programming" kits. From Macs the number is, I'm guessing now, tens at most? It does matter, an it matters a lot, what platform you use.