Windows

[CBProductions]

Yes but what you seem to remember is that Mac's aren't immune from viruses at all. They're just more common on Windows as most people use that instead of Macs.

No but it takes a complete idiot on a mac to get a virus because its persmissions based , but yes you have a validpoint , no system will ever be immune especially as soon as you connect it to the internet

[Danny]

To be honest though it takes a complete tard to get a virus on windows.

Ive never ever had one in the 7 years or more ive had a pc. I dont even run any kind of realtime virus scanner. I just run a check every few weeks/months.

[CBProductions]

very true me neither

[Tomm]

To be honest though it takes a complete tard to get a virus on windows.

I gave my housemate a virus (But shh, he doesn't know) by going on ONE crack site in IE. I didn't open anything at all, or click install on anything. If that ain't shit, what is?

I'm a tard then

Meh, it wasn't my PC...

[MasterOfGussets]

There are much more than 20 Mac viruses.

You don't have to be a retard to get a virus. All it takes is someone moving in the right circles to find zero-day exploit codes for an unreleased security hole in a certain operating system and they can cause real damage.

For example, there are "underground" groups (THC, teso, ADM, etc) who spend their spare time finding bugs in software. They program "exploits" for their cronies ("private warez"). Some of the members' friends will probably be priveleged enough to get a copy. If one of them knows how to code a decent worm and has motivation then they can do damage. Most groups will report any holes to the software manufacturer and only release exploit codes publicly once there is a patch released. But patches usually take 2-3 months to be released from the time of the bug report. (Usually because the companies don't respond, then finally set up lab conditions to work it out). Just think back to Code Red...

As for OS X being permission-based... that won't help whatsoever. BSD-based OS's are very secure remotely. But their local security isn't really much better than Linux.

If Apple do move to Intel processors it will open up a whole new world for virus writers. They won't have to spend time learning a new flavour of Assembler - they can just learn the Mac OS's API and away they go. And there are already multi-platform spanning viruses (think back to "Winux" which infected Windows and Linux). Moving to Intel will be a nightmare for them.

[Nuke Bowel]

If Apple do move to Intel processors it will open up a whole new world for virus writers. They won't have to spend time learning a new flavour of Assembler - they can just learn the Mac OS's API and away they go. And there are already multi-platform spanning viruses (think back to "Winux" which infected Windows and Linux). Moving to Intel will be a nightmare for them.

I have an intel based one, decided not to run any form of anti virus software, I have to much faith that i wont come across one, and if i do im protected by apple care plan.

It's a slight problem with these intel based ones allthough apple are working on making the system even securer, obviously mac is going to come across viruse's its impossible to make a system 100% secure allthough OSX is damn close.

Edited June 14, 2006 by ilukeee

[Mark W]

Windows does still enjoy to shit the bed then?

It's been a long time since I have used windows, oh the joy.

Best thing is, when you install windows not only does it take far too long, but when you start up it reminds you that you need anti virus software, it told me 'your computer may be at risk'

oopsss.

If you install anti-virus software, it won't tell you that. Equally, my new computer takes no time to start up at all, and it's just a basic spec full-build we bought? I know it's not white, plastic and gimmicky, but you know, who gives a f**k about that apart from you?

BTW, you're saying "Windows still loves to shit the bed" - Dan's Mac is nothing but hassle. It's had to go to the Mac shop in...shit, I can't remember where...Tewkesbury maybe? Anyway, it's had to go there 3 times, and the CD drive still doesn't work at all, and Apple can't offer any advice, and it's impossible to get any kind of modem to work with it...

[Extreme_biker0]

To be honest though it takes a complete tard to get a virus on windows.

So true.

Yes, for the average retard, a mac is better. There are less of them, by a few orders of magnitude, which makes them less of a target for virus writers.

I have an intel based one, decided not to run any form of anti virus software

You don't have to run any because there are hardly any viruses out there, not because it's hard to write them, but like i've already said, there are not really enough mac's on the net for a virus to proporgate.

its impossible to make a system 100% secure allthough OSX is damn close.

I disagree. Maybe for the average 'retard' as we seem to be refering to inexperienced users yes, because of the lack of viruses, the mac system would *seem* more secure. In reality, there are probably more exposed holes in the mac OS right now than there are in windows, what with so many of windows' flaws being found and exploited and patched already.

Holes *do* exist in the mac OS. Just as windows sure as hell didn't mean for there to be any holes but there were, apple will have programmed holes into it's OS just the same. Millions of lines of code go into an os, and it can't be perfect. But windows is patched for most, mac os isn't. Be afraid!

[Nuke Bowel]

If you install anti-virus software, it won't tell you that. Equally, my new computer takes no time to start up at all, and it's just a basic spec full-build we bought? I know it's not white, plastic and gimmicky, but you know, who gives a f**k about that apart from you?

BTW, you're saying "Windows still loves to shit the bed" - Dan's Mac is nothing but hassle. It's had to go to the Mac shop in...shit, I can't remember where...Tewkesbury maybe? Anyway, it's had to go there 3 times, and the CD drive still doesn't work at all, and Apple can't offer any advice, and it's impossible to get any kind of modem to work with it...

My imac does look sexyyy though mark.

that is one of the first problems i have heard people have had with mac. Anywayssss.... i could name you a billion windows computers that have totally screwed them selves. Infact the majority of mac users have come from using windows, but they have found it crap, so decided to look for a computer that 99% of the time actually works

[Mark W]

I hate the looks of Macs entirely, and the aesthetics don't mean shit to me.

The point I was making though is that you can chop and change PCs relatively easily compared to Macs, or so it seems. The whole "everything built-in" stuff just seems like a bit of a whore compared to altering a PC. May be wrong there, but that's the experience we've had with our computer and Dan's Mac...

[Nuke Bowel]

EDIT: Most people that i have heard say 'I dont like mac' I ask why and they say because its to hard to use, if you cant use OSX your a retard.

[Mark W]

There's a difference between being able to use something, and tehn being able to use something really easily, which is what people seem to complain about with Macs? They're usable, but not as easy as Windows is? I know you're going to say "but once you get used to it...", but why not use somethnig you don't have to spend time "getting used to" first?

[Nuke Bowel]

The point I was making though is that you can chop and change PCs relatively easily compared to Macs, or so it seems. The whole "everything built-in" stuff just seems like a bit of a whore compared to altering a PC.

Wrong.

Macs are easy to play with, you can do mods your self, I have opened my'n up to take stuff out to clean, replace ram, etc.

If i can do it any one can.

If you look inside a mac, everything is organised, its not all cramped up together.

There's a difference between being able to use something, and tehn being able to use something really easily, which is what people seem to complain about with Macs? They're usable, but not as easy as Windows is? I know you're going to say "but once you get used to it...", but why not use somethnig you don't have to spend time "getting used to" first?

took me a couple of hours

You can ajust mac more than you can with windows.

The reason i got from the it teacher in school for not likeing macs, he said 'i like to look after my computer, where as macs would look after me'

Wtf? surely its good if mac is looking after you, not having to open the box every 2 hours to fix it.

[Mark W]

Wtf? surely its good if mac is looking after you, not having to open the box every 2 hours to fix it.

Bit of an exaggeration? Besides, answer my post in the "GF Pic" thread

EDIT: Oh, and I can open my computer with a screwdriver and f**k about with stuff too. I just meant that if I wanted to install a new CD drive or something like that, it appeared to be a whole load easier on a PC than a Mac? Not to mention changing your monitor

[Nuke Bowel]

Bit of an exaggeration? Besides, answer my post in the "GF Pic" thread

EDIT: Oh, and I can open my computer with a screwdriver and f**k about with stuff too. I just meant that if I wanted to install a new CD drive or something like that, it appeared to be a whole load easier on a PC than a Mac? Not to mention changing your monitor

Can actually be true in some cases.

Haha, ok dude.

[Mark W]

Trying to use proper extremes to prove a point doesn't often work. It hasn't here either

[the judge]

A question that's kinda related to the thread -> what's the difference between xp home and xp professional?

[CBProductions]

Ok mac are proven for there reliability and ease of use in the production world , Pc's are proven in the home. Viruses are going to be there on everything regardless of how good it is because some 14 year old will be in his room and crack anything people release.

Just live with it and who ever wants to use a mac, uses one and those who dont carry on not doing so.

[Danno]

A question that's kinda related to the thread -> what's the difference between xp home and xp professional?

Link from Microsoft website

[Krisboats]

I have to say of the 3 main computers in my house, the laptop pc is the most reliable... in that it'll never work After using it you'll most likely have to either revert back to a previous save point of the hard drive using norton goback or re-install windows completely

The mac is next in that it likes to throw fits and give me a load of error messages when i try and do things, it wanted to know some sort of super password when i tried to install the very first game i'd ever found for a mac and as far as my dad was aware he'd never set a password on it. It also never recognises any type of network device we've tried to attach to it and the operating system is just plain annoying, its just too boring for me.

My pc is actually the most reliable computer in the house. It's only ever had a couple of mardy's and that was my own fault for overclocking the graphics card too much... i set it down a bit and since then its been fine. Its also the fastest computer in my house as well. It plays games, makes videos, goes on the internet and copies cd's and dvd's in very short amounts of time.