On Wed, 2008-07-09 at 18:26 -0500, M Harris wrote:
On Wednesday 09 July 2008 17:57, Ben Rosenberg wrote:
I just want the question answered as to why Apple has about 20% of the laptop market and x amount of the "desktop" market yet no one has written a virus that can hop from Macbook to MacbookPro to Mac Mini to Mac Pro as they hop from Win2k to XP to Vista? Please just answer why a mainstream UNIX OS has not one virus for it?
The public still has the mistaken impression that computer viruses (also trojans, worms, etc) are practical for all operating systems. This is stated on the net over and over and over... and its a lie. The design of *nix systems (including MAC) prevents 99% of all practical viri that are possible in windows (name your flavor). Penetrating the other 1% of potential vulnerability is just not practical.
A person (very specialized person mind you) might be able to exploit a kernel vulnerability on a given *nix system.... but which kernel? If probing datagrams can not get past the kernel, who knows what is behind that address. Can it be done... sure! Is it practical (say easy) NO! So far the public doesn't believe this... but you have the right thought line. As linux (and MAC) market share increase and viruses don't (on that platform), then the truth will be realized. In the mean-time, its a waiting game... and some preaching.
You're absolutely correct on most points. Nix viruses are much harder to create, and its "intended audience" much smaller. But are you willing to accept that 1% chance (probably much, much smaller)? Being defaced or loosing contracts because of delays, sensitive info brought into the open, loss of life? What are you going to say to your employer/judge? I could have done something about it, but i thought the chances it would happer were too slim? Better safe then sorry, unless the concequenses are none (to you). hw -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org