Apple Users are at Jeopardy as Mac Malware Expands

Security experts claim at the RSA Security Conference held at San Francisco's Moscone Centre (USA) that the days of Apple users not attacked by malware are reaching closing stages.

As per various security vendors, the last few months has spotted a striking increase in the quantity and intricacy of malware programs used to attack Mac users and the situation will only get worse in future.

Senior Technology Consultant at Sophos, Graham Cluley, states that Apple malware is undeniably mounting, as reported by SCMagazine on April 22, 2009.

Referring to the cause of escalating attacks against Mac, security experts have said that Apple may be a sufferer of its own success. With the increasing ownership of Apple devices, predominantly the iPhone, more malware creators are being attracted to the platform to extract utmost profit.

Moreover, there are not just malware or trojans creating threat to Mac users, but also rogue antivirus programs for Mac applications have been dotted lately.

Besides, at the RSA Conference, it is also discussed that a fraction of the problem may be due to Apple users who believe that they are using the safest platform which is why they do not opt for antivirus and spam filter software. Eugene claims that he is worried that Mac users will be easily attacked as many of them assume that they are protected with a safe operating system, which is not true.

However, some security experts still think that Mac is less susceptible as compared to Windows. Some state that it is harder platform to target, whereas others claiming that it remains comparatively unaffected because of its smaller market share which makes it a less favorite target for hackers.

In the meantime, it is also discovered that Apple lacks behind Microsoft in issuing bug fixes.

Undoubtedly, the security experts state that the competition about protection of Mac will continue to mount. It should be reasonably well settled that these Mac tailored attacks are now a truth of life. Like their Windows counterparts, Mac users who install plagiarized software are very careless to do so at their own risk.

Related article: Apple Patches QuickTime 13 Month Old Flaw

» SPAMfighter News - 4/27/2009