Wednesday, December 19th 2007

OS X Suffered Over Five Times More Vulnerabilities than Windows in 2007

A few years ago, one of the biggest weapons in a Mac user's arsenal for any Windows vs OS X debate was that Apple's operating system was more secure than Microsoft's. However, the statistics compiled by ZDNet (which are shown in the table below) tell a very different story for this year. Combined, Windows XP and Vista saw a total of 44 flaws, whilst Max OS X experienced 243 - over five times more. Overall, Macs had 234 highly critical vulnerabilities compared to just 23 for Windows, although admittedly Mac OS X had no extremely critical flaws, whilst Windows had four. This would seem to suggest that the tables have turned a little, which could well be linked to the fact that Macs have become more popular over the last couple of years and as a result there is a greater incentive to hack them.

Source: ZDNet.com
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37 Comments on OS X Suffered Over Five Times More Vulnerabilities than Windows in 2007

#26
xvi
I've been working with Macs and PCs for years. All you really have to do is maintain a Mac and a PC (about 500 of each for me back in High School. Internships FTW) and actually read what's inside the updates that you download. Mac OS does a nice job of downplaying (read the descriptions) their updates (not to forget bundling tons of security updates in one package to make it "look smaller") while Microsoft releases one small patch per vulnerability with a descriptive, straightforward explanation on what program/service contains the vulnerability.

And what about their *nix backend? I would of thought that would help with security.

I have respect for Apple, but I still think they should be doing a lot better considering all the advantages they have.
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#27
Dangle
jurrasstoilSince Mac is only used by Hippies
Not true.

Mac is also used by these people. Scroll to the bottom to navigate to this page.
Posted on Reply
#29
Wile E
Power User
The overall message of this article doesn't surprise me in the least, but the sheer number of holes in OS X does. It only goes to prove that it's a matter of time before OS X (and Linux, for that matter) are hit with viruses as well. For now, Macs are seemingly less secure, but still safer.

But my question is, how many of these were exploited?
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#30
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
i have a hard time believe those numbers considering OSX is based off BSD. I am not saying that it isnt possible that OSX has bugs, but i dont believe there are nearly that many and i dont believe it has more than vista and xp.
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#31
1c3d0g
Hahaha...this just made my day! :laugh: Yesss...watcha got to say now, Mac fanboys?!? :shadedshu Apple sucks!
Posted on Reply
#32
Dangle
Easy Rhinoi have a hard time believe those numbers considering OSX is based off BSD. I am not saying that it isnt possible that OSX has bugs, but i dont believe there are nearly that many and i dont believe it has more than vista and xp.
That's because you've seen too many Mac advertisements. You've heard, "It just works" so many times, you've been brainwashed.
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#33
Steevo
Windows ME was based off the decently stable and fast 98SE, and it is a pile of shit. So just as it was based off BSD means nothing, other than it has the corperate conglomerate revamped BSD with essence of dung so that the fags who love to live and breathe in the essence of Steve's shit don't mistake the powerful scent of BSD for something better, faster, more stable, and the most deadly, FREE!!!!!



I used to honestly love our Mac at school, but with all the propoganda crap MAC has out I will never own one, or anything from apple again, minus the quicktime player. And that only plays the movies that WMP, and Nero 7 can't.
Posted on Reply
#34
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
DangleThat's because you've seen too many Mac advertisements. You've heard, "It just works" so many times, you've been brainwashed.
i wouldnt say that ive seen too many commercials because in the commercials they never talk about OS X being based off BSD. for fun times please read up on BSD and how it is utilized in OS X.
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#35
Dangle
Easy Rhinofor fun times please read up on BSD and how it is utilized in OS X.
No thanks. I have absolutely no use for a mac, and I think their pop-culture MTV advertisements have created an image I would not want to be associated with... ever. Besides, every piece of software I would ever use is available on PC.
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#36
imperialreign
No thanks. I have absolutely no use for a mac, and I think their pop-culture MTV advertisements have created an image I would not want to be associated with... ever. Besides, every piece of software I would ever use is available on PC.
TBH, the image that Apple seems to have created for themselves (based upon commercials for their products) puts them in league with all the other "trendy" gadgets of the moment, IMO. They're the current "in" thing to have, along with the Bluetooth, NDS, Powershot, Razr, etc.

I'll admit - their Mac vs PC commercials are pretty funny, especially when you know the ins and outs of the hardware and all - all the "behind the scenes" stuff. But it also gives the impression that their rigs are targeted at those who don't know (or don't care) how to work with internal hardware, or delve deep into their software. They come across as a plug'n'go system.

Right now, ipod, OSX and the rest of Apple's lineup is a fad . . . and fads pass like kidney stones.

That means that Apple will have to "re-invent the wheel" for their next product if they want it to keep people attention.
Posted on Reply
#37
Easy Rhino
Linux Advocate
DangleNo thanks. I have absolutely no use for a mac, and I think their pop-culture MTV advertisements have created an image I would not want to be associated with... ever. Besides, every piece of software I would ever use is available on PC.
oh i agree. mac has a pretty awesome marketing campaign going and it shows in sales figures. and im not saying it is a perfect OS, i just dont believe those numbers from ZDNET.
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