DailyTech - Apple Scales Back Security Ad Claims After Rash of Mac Malware

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Internet Apple Scales Back Security Ad Claims After Rash of Mac Malware
Jason Mick (Blog) - June 25, 2012 4:33 PM

26 comment(s) - last by Trisped.. on Jun 27 at 9:44 AM

(Source: Apple)

Flashback forced Apple to amend its boasting

No one does marketing spin quite like Apple, Inc. (AAPL). Apple proudly promotes its OS X personal computer operating system on a special webpage describing supposed advantages of OS X. A subsection of that page is devoted to braggadocio regarding security. Writes Apple:

It doesn't get PC viruses.
A Mac isn't susceptible to the thousands of viruses plaguing Windows-based computers. That's thanks to built-in defenses in Mac OS X that keep you safe, without any work on your part.

The only problem with that comment is that of late Apple was hit by Flashback, a Trojan that struck hundreds of thousands Macs. Unlike past Mac malware, the Trojan exploited a vulnerability also found in unpatched Windows machines. But unlike OS X, Microsoft Windows' Java distribution had been patched months before.

After the wording was poked fun at by some critics, Apple begrudgingly changed it to:

It's built to be safe.
Built-in defenses in OS X keep you safe from unknowingly downloading malicious software on your Mac.

Apple also changes the humorous "Safeguard your data. By doing nothing." to "Safety. Built right in."

_{[Image Source: Apple via Sophos Security]}

It's nice to see Apple finally acknowledging that Macs are not immune to malware -- particularly at a time when the population of infected Macs is approaching that of Windows PCs on a percentage basis. But it remains to be seen whether Apple's most zealous fans who long parroted its claims to frustrated Windows and Linux users take note.

Recent reports have indicated Apple is approximately a decade behind Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) in security.

Source: Sophos

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RE: PC Virus?

By Samus on 6/25/2012 6:45:46 PM , Rating: 2

I still don't get what makes a Mac so special that it isn't considered a PC. Just because it's white and doesn't run Windows doesn't make it something special. It's still a PC.

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RE: PC Virus?

By Reclaimer77 on 6/25/12, Rating: 0

RE: PC Virus?

By amanojaku on 6/25/2012 8:06:05 PM , Rating: 2

YOU get that PCs are personal computers, because you're TECHNICAL. The average person doesn't see it that way. The average person sees two competing ecosystems, one based on style and hipness, the other based on geeks and creepiness.

The distinction started because Jobs, ever the showman, mystified the Mac. He made it seem like the hardware and software were fundamentally different from what makes a PC work. There are people who believe Macs are better at graphics. There are people who believe Macs are better at audio. They think that Adobe software and Quark are somehow different on the Mac and PC. They think the Mac is secure. They think "it just works." Meanwhile, I'm fixing their damn two year-old Macs, using my seven-year old PC...

Calling a Mac a PC brings some people back down to earth. Pointing out that they never actually use the OS, but rather the applications, makes a few more humble. Pointing out that Apple has copied many features from MS shocks even more. The rest are hooked on fairy dust and unicorn tears.

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RE: PC Virus?

By Pirks on 6/25/2012 8:28:32 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
the other based on geeks and creepiness

That's going to change somewhat after Surface is released. It has nothing geeky or creepy about it, it's all new reincarnation of Windows PC that's supposed to be free of geekiness and creepiness and malware and crapware and all the rest of BS that PC are often associated with.

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RE: PC Virus?

By StevoLincolnite on 6/26/2012 4:33:35 AM , Rating: 2

It's all just advertising on Apples part to distant itself from the PC.

In the end, it's still a PC in my eyes since it uses all PC components and even uses a PC OS as the basis for MacOS.

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RE: PC Virus?

By Reclaimer77 on 6/26/2012 1:29:21 PM , Rating: 2

No I'm pretty sure WE started the distinction back in the day because we didn't want our PC's associated with those idiot-boxes with an Apple logo on them.

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RE: PC Virus?

By StevoLincolnite on 6/26/2012 9:16:44 PM , Rating: 2

You might have. I didn't.

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RE: PC Virus?

By Trisped on 6/27/2012 9:32:12 AM , Rating: 2

A PC is a computer which adheres to the IBM PC compatible hardware platform, hence the name. Apple computers have never adhered to this standard which is why they are not considered a PC.

It is also important to note that current PCs do not apply all of the standards, but are derived from computers which did. In essence the modern PC is an evolved IBM PC.

See Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer...

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