Spyware - Now a Problem for Mac Users as Well

[IGBT]

Text

. You can no longer assume that you mac is immune from viruses and spyware. The need for free mac spyware removal programs available online is growing rapidly and we will hopefully see a lot of new free mac spyware removal programs on the Internet soon. Since Spyware is still a smaller problem for mac users, the number of available free mac spyware removal programs is currently much smaller than the number of free Spyware removal programs for PC.



There are several Spyware and Adware software capable of infesting Mac, and every Mac user should take a look at the Adware and Spyware removal programs available for mac.

 

[AmigaMan]

I don't know about you, but I didn't see any that were named in that article. Sounds like FUD to me.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

 

[cessna152]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

Really?

 

[simms]

What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

 

[Fox5]

A lot of spyware exploits things an Internet browser is meant to do, I wouldn't be surprised to see if their Internet browsers (heck, they've got IE and mozilla) are insecure, even if the OS is.
And there's no accounting for user stupidity, most of the really nasty windows viruses and spyware require interaction from the user to take hold.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

that's especially handy - my aunt needs to install printer drivers but doesnt know the password

 

[phisrow]

I strongly doubt that macs will see the sort of really stubborn, nasty, hard to remove stuff that Windows has. The *nix architecture saves them(hardcore rootkits are by no means impossible; but those generally aren't automated, mass attacks). Programs that trick users into escalating their permissions are another matter, of course.

It is quite possible, though, for userspace trojan horses and/or browser exploits and similar to become a serious problem. Sure, you can't trash the OS with user permissions; but you can push popups, report traffic, possibly log keystrokes, delete user files, encrypt user files for ransom, etc. without any admin permissions at all.

From an OS/Admin standpoint, user level malware isn't much of a threat. Nuke the user's home folder, and the problem goes away. From a clueless user's standpoint, they are helpless whether or not that thing that keeps pushing popups is a simple user process launched at startup, or a nasty bit of code that worms its way into all parts of the system.

The really ghastly "you might as well just reinstall" malware might not ever be an issue; but there will probably be a market for basic tools that parse startup scripts, installed program lists, etc. for known user level trojans.

 

[JonTheBaller]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

that's especially handy - my aunt needs to install printer drivers but doesnt know the password

Wow, your aunt is a bright one!

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable fact.

 

[Fraggable]

I thought everyone knew there was spyware out there for MACs, just not as much since there are a lot more PCs out there.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable fact.

As someone who repairs laptops for on a college campus. I have to deny that.

 

[preslove]

Psssshhhh, enjoy your spreadsheets and database programs, nerdboys. I use my computer for music, pictures, video and fun stuff like that.

/stupid mac asshole commercial guy

 

[Doboji]

It's only a matter of time

 

[junkerman123]

Originally posted by: Doboji
It's only a matter of time before people start caring enough about macs to make viruses/spyware for them

fixed

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable fact.

That's such a freaking lie that I'm marking you down on the list of people who's opinions I will ignore.

I can see you've bought in to mac BS marketing schemes with no resistance.

 

[MisterJackson]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable opinion (which is just unsubstantiated fact).

Fixed for ya A-hole

 

[BrianH1]

I think if you take into account all the grandma's and fogeys that buy the $300 wal mart option, then mac users are more savvy. those $300 computer sales have to out number Apple's, and then based on numbers would make them more savvy. of course, this is just my pure speculation.

 

[tweakmm]

Damn you iMac and Mac Mini!!!

::shakes fist at Apple for trying to increase market share::

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable fact.

..no doubt mac users are expert "appliance" operators.

 

[ultimatebob]

Any computer operated by a stupid user is always vulnerable to spyware and computer viruses.

As long as people are dumb enough to download and install "FREE" screen savers, mouse pointers, icons, or P2P programs without checking that they are legit, there will always be shady advertisers and spammers bundling malware with them.

 

[Powermoloch]

I think that apple needs to reconsider to change their commercials :laugh:

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: IGBT

Originally posted by: deathkoba

Originally posted by: simms
What about a stupid user installing adware that they think is required as part of a program, and then they type their password?

It's Apple, not all their users are computer-savvy.

Most Mac users are far more savvy than PC users. That's an undeniable fact.

..no doubt mac users are expert "appliance" operators.

So I take it you don't think Windows users can operate simple appliances? How sad for you. I can honestly say that as a Mac user, I can operate my appliances like an expert. I know all the settings on my microwave, I have l33t stove skillz, and my fridge underwent an icemaker OC just the other day.

And yes, I am more technologically savvy than you IGBT, and that's an undeniable fact! :laugh:

<-- waves epenis around like he just doesn't care.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: cessna152

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

Really?

Yeah,
installing stuff to /Library requires root/admin password. OS X has user-permission based filesystem, so it won't let you write to certain places without logging in as a superuser.

The article linked in the O/P sounds more like a pitch to buy the linked anti-spyware...

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: cessna152

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah. Macs are inherently secure as installation of applications require a password to run. There's no need for antispyware like Windows.

Really?

Yeah,
installing stuff to /Library requires root/admin password. OS X has user-permission based filesystem, so it won't let you write to certain places without logging in as a superuser.

The article linked in the O/P sounds more like a pitch to buy the linked anti-spyware...

Yep, and this link pretty much says what most Mac users already know. There are no known spyware or viruses that are infecting Mac users today. Period.

An interesting quote...

It seems likely that Macs will continue to be the safer place for computer users for some time to come