So what’s the deal with this new Trojan infecting upwards of 600,000 Mac systems? Is this some new super virus with its sights set on Steve Jobs’ legacy? Are Mac computers now susceptible to viruses? Everyone seems to be up in arms about this incident when I really feel like it isn’t that big of a deal. I’m sure I will get flack for that last line, but let me explain what I mean by that.
Yes, of course an infection of 600,000 systems when you only have 9% of the computer market share is big. If an equivalent attack was laid upon the Windows world, it would equate to nearly 8 million infected systems. So, yes, it is big, but it is partly due to Apple and their clever marketing tactics.
I will be the first to admit I loved those “I’m a PC and I’m a Mac” commercials but when it comes down to it, Mac users—and more specifically the ones that aren’t well versed with how computers work—have been spoon fed this notion that Macs are impervious to infection. This is a 100% untrue statement. There is no way of making a computer completely un-infectable, unless of course your computer is made of beads and sticks (aka an abacus).
With that said, awareness is the first and most economical method of infection prevention. Simply being in the know can help to fend off those pesky intruders. The next would be to own a Mac. Now I know I just finished ranting how Macs are vulnerable, but the truth is that these days individuals that make malicious software are doing so for profit not for fame. At the end of the day, it is a job to them and they’ve got bills to pay just like we do, so it stands to reason that going after the Windows world will yield a greater return.
Also, while Macs are not infection-proof, they are much harder to get in and infect. Since Macs don’t share a common root access like Windows systems and there isn’t a BIOs to access to cause serious harm to your machine there is less of a concern for complete destruction of your computer. Lastly, you can help to prevent infection by using anti-virus software. There are many manufacturers—some free and others subscription-based.
Here are some favorites among fellow Mac users: ClamXav, ESET, and Sophos.
In the end I feel like this is a lot of hype. Mac users have been led to believe they were impervious to viruses and infection so when their perfect world is shattered the media jumps all over it. When all the dust has settled at the end of the day this is a relatively easy bug to deal with!