Considering going MacOS X due to MS-Blast worm

[Cadaver]

With the Blast worm propigating such as it is, it's really making me think about buying a PowerMac G5 and moving to MacOS X full-time.

I may be biased, since I do use a PowerBook G4 while I'm occasionally on the road, though at the moment it's really only configured as a PowerPoint player/DVD player/web browser.

BTW, I was not affected by the Blast worm; my systems were protected by firewalls and up-to-date security patches.

There really isn't anything I do on my WinXP Pro machine that can't be done on a Mac (except perhaps games) - I use pretty standard software such as Office XP, EndNote 6, PhotoShop 7, Acrobat 6 Pro, Mozilla, Roxio CD Creator, Quicken, etc. I've been prefering WinAMD (vs. WinTel) for the killer cost/performance ratio. You can see my home rig in the link below. Maybe spending extra $$ (OK, a lot extra) on a machine/OS that seems to avoid all this crap is worth it.

Not trying to go trolling, but what do you think? Is this latest worm/virus issue making YOU think about moving to a non-Microsoft OS (Linux, MacOS X, other)?

 

[isekii]

Go get a Mac

have a nice day.

 

[Descartes]

If your system wasn't affected by the worm, then what is it exactly what you're trying to avoid?

 

[Citadel535]

As a gamer I can honestly say I will NEVER go to a Mac. Although for what you are using them for then using a Mac would be no problem. I also work in IT so purchasing a Mac is out of the question if I do not want to be ridiculed.

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: Descartes
If your system wasn't affected by the worm, then what is it exactly what you're trying to avoid?

One day I may not be so lucky, that's all.

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: isekii
Go get a Mac have a nice day.

Why so hostile?
I'm not starting a Mac vs. PC debate (not trying, anyway).

Simply curious as to know how many people would consider a non-Microsoft operating system given the recent events.

 

[Dedpuhl]

Switch to CrapOS X? ewww.

I would try to switch to Linux (Red Hat or Mandrake).

 

[MegaloManiaK]

So macs are imune to viruses?


Just because the latest greatest virus wasn't written for a mac would not convince me to change.

Security by obscurity, is no security at all.

 

[royaldank]

Are you going to have to buy all new software for the new machine? Sounds expensive.

If you weren't affected, then why are you worried about it. If you keep your stuff up to date, then you have a very, very slim chance of getting anything bad like the last virus. There's problems with everything.

I think you are just trying to find a reason to buy a mac and/or spend some money. I like my pc because I can work on it and change things out as I wish. Software is readily available, as is help from most folks I know. I just think a PC is much more compatible with my life right now. Also, the game selection is much better on a PC, and I do play games every now and again.

I wouldn't consider a non MS product for my home system. Compatability would be a concern of mine. Now, if I need something, I can usually find the Windows version real quick. Anything else would probably take time to find what I need. In the end, I think that added time would be more than a re-format of windows.

 

[Placer14]

MS and security holes go hand in hand. I'm used to it. I look at it this way. I spend 1500-2000 for a mac that is secure (or not popular enough to try to create viruses for), but buy a 700-800 PC and 100 or so in security.

Security issues do tarnish the reputation of MS (not taht tehre is much rep to protect these days) but I keep other items to provide my security needs. I do not rely on MS for security. I know better.

 

[Cadaver]

Gaaahh... No!
I'm not asking for opinions on whether or not I should switch.

I want to know if this latest outbreak is making you think about moving to a non-MS OS (be it Linux or whatever).

 

[Legendary]

I tend to stay on top of big patches (thanks ATOT ) so I don't feel compelled to switch out of Windows XP Pro.

 

[royaldank]

Originally posted by: Cadaver
Gaaahh... No!
I'm not asking for opinions on whether or not I should switch.

I want to know if this latest outbreak is making you think about moving to a non-MS OS (be it Linux or whatever).

Moving to another OS never crossed my mind for one second due to the latest outbreak.

 

[MangoTBG]

Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK
So macs are imune to viruses?


Just because the latest greatest virus wasn't written for a mac would not convince me to change.

Security by obscurity, is no security at all.

Exactly. How much more people use PCs over a mac or linux? Ahh...I'd say there's a great ratio there. The only reason you'd be "safer" from viruses is that you'd be in a minority.



Nothing is perfectly made, if it can be engineered then it can be re-engineered.

So if you are asking us, me, what we are going to do?

Hell, no. I like my games and my high performance machine for sub 1,100. Enjoy spending that cool $3,000!

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: Cadaver

I want to know if this latest outbreak is making you think about moving to a non-MS OS (be it Linux or whatever).

nope.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: Cadaver

Originally posted by: isekii
Go get a Mac have a nice day.

Why so hostile?
I'm not starting a Mac vs. PC debate (not trying, anyway).

Simply curious as to know how many people would consider a non-Microsoft operating system given the recent events.

If your the kind of person who gets these viruses then go to mac... it would make my life alot easier if all teh stupid people went to mac.

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK
So macs are imune to viruses? Just because the latest greatest virus wasn't written for a mac would not convince me to change. Security by obscurity, is no security at all.

From STRICTLY a security standpoint, I might actually believe the opposite. Who spends great time and effort hacking an OS that has a 3% marketshare, when he could attack 95% instead? Add the requisite firewalls and anti-virus software, and I'd think an obscure OS would be more secure.

Now this issue is does one really want to USE an obscure OS. That I'm not so sure about.

 

[Pocatello]

If I was to change OS, I would go with Linux, I don't want to buy a whole new computer system.

 

[Jhill]

Macs are just as vulnerable as PC's with windows are to viruses and worms. The hackers just write the viruses for windows because thats what everyone uses. If everyone started using macs then you would see worms like this for macs.

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: Cadaver

Originally posted by: isekii Go get a Mac have a nice day.

Why so hostile? I'm not starting a Mac vs. PC debate (not trying, anyway). Simply curious as to know how many people would consider a non-Microsoft operating system given the recent events.

If your the kind of person who gets these viruses then go to mac, it will make my life alot easier if stupid people move over to mac so I dont have to support people. If you still got caught by this problem, I have no symphathy for you you deserve everything you got.

arod, read my post above. I didn't get bitten. I've never been bitten by a Windows virus/worm/etc. I religeously keep up-to-date with security/virus/firewall updates. But one day I may not be so lucky. Neither may you.

It's simply a question - has your faith in Microsoft been damaged to the point of no matter how careful you are at securing your data, you simply no longer trust them?

 

[Koing]

No it not has affected me.

I would not go to MaxOS X for this reason.

It would be nice to try out but too pricey for me.

Koing

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: Cadaver

Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK
So macs are imune to viruses? Just because the latest greatest virus wasn't written for a mac would not convince me to change. Security by obscurity, is no security at all.

From STRICTLY a security standpoint, I might actually believe the opposite. Who spends great time and effort hacking an OS that has a 3% marketshare, when he could attack 95% instead? Add the requisite firewalls and anti-virus software, and I'd think an obscure OS would be more secure.

Now this issue is does one really want to USE an obscure OS. That I'm not so sure about.

Thats the truth.... Windows is attacked because when you write a virus you want it to affect as many people as possible, linux and mac dont own enough market share to warrant wasting your time writing viruses for them. No operating system will ever be 100% secure (and that includes OSX and Linux), there are security holes in everything.

 

[Rufio]

dude...that's lke saying you're gonna switch from Mercedes Benz to Hyundai just because a bird pooped on your Mercedes!

 

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: Cadaver

Originally posted by: MegaloManiaK So macs are imune to viruses? Just because the latest greatest virus wasn't written for a mac would not convince me to change. Security by obscurity, is no security at all.

From STRICTLY a security standpoint, I might actually believe the opposite. Who spends great time and effort hacking an OS that has a 3% marketshare, when he could attack 95% instead? Add the requisite firewalls and anti-virus software, and I'd think an obscure OS would be more secure. Now this issue is does one really want to USE an obscure OS. That I'm not so sure about.

Thats the truth.... Windows is attacked because when you write a virus you want it to affect as many people as possible, linux and mac dont own enough market share to warrant wasting your time writing viruses for them. No operating system will ever be 100% secure (and that includes OSX and Linux), there are security holes in everything.

100% agree. But - which OS is more secure (or, which is the least least-secure)?
I'd argue that Microsoft is loosing the "Trustworthy Computing Initiative"

 

[Maverick]

Originally posted by: Pocatello
If I was to change OS, I would go with Linux, I don't want to buy a whole new computer system.