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To put it bluntly, Apple is 10 years behind Microsoft on security because up until now they could afford to be. We had a few trojans and such but for the most p

To put it bluntly, Apple is 10 years behind Microsoft on security because up until now they could afford to be. We had a few trojans and such but for the most part, security updates weren't critical because people just weren't messing with the system. The important part of all of these outbreaks of flashback means that Apple realizes that it's time to get going on security. Apple doesn't ship the patches that Oracle or other third parties ship as quickly because this is how they work. They want to make sure that everything results in the best experience for the user. "But wait!" you'll cry. "Getting a virus because of a slow update isn't the best experience!" Well neither is shipping a patch that causes more issues than it fixes. Hopefully, the outcry of the users that they are getting viruses will up Apple's security efforts. In the next version they've already signaled that they think security is important because they're shipping Gatekeeper. I'd also like to point out that many, not all, but many of the bugs that are being used as exploits are in third party software (probably with the exception of Safari which has some serious issues).

nirvana 14y ago
The Mac had viruses in the late 1980s. I know they existed as early as 1987, and as late as 1989, from first hand experience. Do you think that the Mac was a major force in the 1980s, but has been safe in obscurity since then? Apple has been serious about security for 22 years, at least, and measurably better than Microsoft for 18 years. It is absolutely absurd to ignore that history and pretend that nobody was interested in messing with the mac, when they were interested in messing with it in the 1980s. But what else can you do when you are an apologist for microsoft? Admit that they make billions from their security holes?
- el_presidente 14y ago
  Do you think that the horse carriage was a major force in the 1800s, but has been safe in obscurity since then? It is absolutely absurd to ignore that history and pretend that nobody was interested in messing with the horse carriage, when they were interested in messing with it in the 1800s.

nirvana 14y ago

The Mac had viruses in the late 1980s. I know they existed as early as 1987, and as late as 1989, from first hand experience. Do you think that the Mac was a major force in the 1980s, but has been safe in obscurity since then? Apple has been serious about security for 22 years, at least, and measurably better than Microsoft for 18 years. It is absolutely absurd to ignore that history and pretend that nobody was interested in messing with the mac, when they were interested in messing with it in the 1980s. But what else can you do when you are an apologist for microsoft? Admit that they make billions from their security holes?

el_presidente 14y ago
Do you think that the horse carriage was a major force in the 1800s, but has been safe in obscurity since then? It is absolutely absurd to ignore that history and pretend that nobody was interested in messing with the horse carriage, when they were interested in messing with it in the 1800s.