Virus eaten computer

Post by **arkline** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 1:00 pm

I know *NO* computer, operating system, etc. will ever be 100% safe from hackers, viruses, worms, etc. but I hope you will admit that your chances of avoiding all that crap is much better if you are on a Mac...

Dallara,

I wish that were true, honest! But the situation has changed radically in the last year or two. The people who want to seed your machine aren't doing it because Bill Gates is the embodiment of evil anymore.

There are two types of serious hacking going on now. There are the "military" hackers who are working to create tactical and strategic advantage over those they perceive as their enemies. And there are the "organized crime" groups trying to make vast sums of money. If a machine has a vulnerability, mac, pc, linux, whatever and it sits on the 'net, there will come a time when it is compromised. Only a matter of time.

This last summer showed us the introduction of "bot wars", where different groups actively tried to stake out territory and defend it against other groups, using worms, virii and rootkit compromises. The pace of activity has become pretty frenetic and if I were younger, I'd be looking for a career outside IT. Mebbe carrot farming, something like that.

Yes, indeed, I am way paranoid...

BMRBIKR · Post by **BMRBIKR** » Sun Oct 23, 2005 7:07 pm

.......Yep.....My Grandpa told me that a VIRUS was like a Flat Tire.....

......your gonna get one someday.....

.........

Post by **bmwdave52** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 1:19 am

I can sorta of relate...several weeks ago my hard drive on my new Dell failed. I have just got back on line. What a mess!!
I have decided my next computer will be an Apple.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:43 am

I have used PC's with MS operating systems since (ahem, I am showing my age here) 1981. [Before that it was a Radio Shack TRS-80!]

I am stuck in a rut. Maybe I should change to a Mac.

It seems to me, though, that spyware has become a bigger problem than viruses. We have four kids who use the internet, mostly for games and sports info. The machines that the kids use are just full of spyware.

Many of you probably know this, but the anti-spyware programs are all just partially effective. Brand X will find spyware that Brand Y did not, and vice versa. So you have to use several anti spyware programs.

I do keep the patches up to date on my OS and my IE software, but what a royal PITA. What kind of shoddy product has to be fixed every few months? PC's are like household appliances now. Can you imagine if you had to download new software for your TV every few months?

WARNING: Failure to update your TV's operating system may result in unauthorized persons changing the channel, forcing you to watch re-runs of CHIPS.

Post by **socalrob** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:16 pm

Regarding Mac's, mine (we have 4 in the house now) update the operating system themselves. No problems with viruses or spyware in the last couple of years.

Post by **arkline** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:21 pm

For you Mac users, how do you tell whether or not someone has dropped a piece of nefarious software onto your machine. I'm not talking about run of the mill spyware, but things like software that gives admin access to the machine or something that captures keystrokes so that the attacker can get admin rights? How many of you logon with admin rights from the get-go? How often are you updating your anti-virus software's signatures and running a full scan? Just curious.

Slipstream · Post by **Slipstream** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:29 pm

arkline wrote:For you Mac users, how do you tell whether or not someone has dropped a piece of nefarious software onto your machine. I'm not talking about run of the mill spyware, but things like software that gives admin access to the machine or something that captures keystrokes so that the attacker can get admin rights? How many of you logon with admin rights from the get-go? How often are you updating your anti-virus software's signatures and running a full scan? Just curious.

I am not aware of any Mac compatible software that gives admin access or captures keystrokes.

Macs using the OS X operating system do have you log on as the admin if you are the primary user on start-up.

As I mentioned previously, I don't bother worrying about updating my anti-virus software (it does it on its own, and it came with my Mac), since there aren't any known Mac OS X viruses.

I use the virus software only to catch Windows viruses inadvertently sent to me via e-mail that I might accidently send to a Windows user.

Viruses are a non-issue to me.

Windows = HD
Macs = BMW

BobFV1 · Post by **BobFV1** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:43 pm

Save your computer! Don't search for pictures of boobies - use this one!

Post by **Pat** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:07 pm

Soooooo.......

somebody wanna tell me what I'm doing wrong?

That my following the advise given me as posted prior, has seemingly managed to keep my computer w/XP & Outlook Express glitch free for over five years?

And for this, I should feel the need to apologize for my unusual & out-of-the-ordinary "luck"?

There, NOW I've done it.
By having posted twice of my good fortune, I'm guaranteed to be buying a Mac' soon....
when a virus, this way comes.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:09 pm

I bought my parents a Mac last spring and have enjoyed using it when I visit them. My business focuses on technology consulting as well. As such, I have developers who write software for Mac OS 8, 9, and X. We also write applications for Linux, UNIX, and Windows.

The biggest advantage Mac has in security terms is that it has so little market share that it does not attract the ire of hackers. That does not mean it will not in the future.

Any other perceived advantages of using Mac over Windows is due to personal preferences and opinion.

marko · Post by **marko** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:47 pm

Fewef
dnbwiei wseib eiw OSX weewuwbg vwe vgiwe vbwevw iweubv wejwbv w
w enwlkenb wekbuwrew werbwebiuw er werwiower wrw r!!
efenfwek efwefwlef Mac wefwgwe wekdiewa-= ;s;;soseoeej eewpe.......kke
dfk elfelfw efwegweg e no problems wegwe gw eg weg weg viruses.
AGdgadgdg dirrr rreecccv dfdf eeee no virus fdefdfaafadf ever.
Been lucky i guess.

marko · Post by **marko** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:17 am

Frank
On my G5 Mac at work i have virtual pc running a windows only application the rest of the company uses. (Pronto).
I find it the best of both worlds.
All my main work done on the mac and when i have to use this piece of software it is sitting in a small windows pane on my screen.
I have just upgraded to OSX 10.4 Tiger and am having fun with the new
"Dashboard Widgets" functionality. I can see these widgets getting out of hand really quickly!!!

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Virus eaten computer

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