News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

February 15, 2008

security

Worst. Mac security article. Ever.

Posted Feb. 15, ’08, 8:09 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Security

Surprised catHave you ever actually read something so dumbfounding that your mouth literally hung open in shock. If not, then boy-oh-boy are you in for a treat. While perusing the headlines this morning, I came across a familiar eye-roll-inducing headline: “Macs come under hacker’s gaze: Apple users are no longer immune to attack, as cyber criminals begin to target Macs.”

Wait. It gets better. The article, at the Computer Business Review (whose web site design appears to have last been updated sometime last century) begins:

At least that’s what 350 computer users surveyed by IT security Sophos believed, following the first financially motivated malware attack on Mac OX.
You’ve got to be expletive kidding me.

Really: I was so angry I couldn’t even think of a swear word that would be appropriate, so I just said “expletive” as loud as I could.

Seriously, though, this could be the beginning of a great trend. Here are some other stories that ought to be popping up on that site any day now:

“Flesh-eating aliens disguised as substitute teachers plague school: At least that’s what 20 students at William McKinley High School said…”

“Only 47 states in US: At least that’s what 20% of pedestrians surveyed said…”

“Natalie Portman totally digs Mac bloggers: At least that’s what the co-editor of MacUser said…”

Much as I’d love to call out the imbecile who authored this piece, it’s attributed only to the shadowy and mysterious “Staff Writer.” Well, Mr. Writer, whoever you are, you’re on my list.

[Image via Oh Joy!]


13 Comments

mennis said:

That's Staph Writer.

February 15, 2008 8:43 AM
Howard said:

Welcome to the new world of how can I get people to read my blog, news (NOT) or whatever?

Point is believe nothing you hear (read) and only half of what you see for yourself. In fact, there is no such thing as news any more, it's all entertainment from here out.

Readers rebel and go back to playing on-line poker! At least that's what 10 new visitors from PokerStars.com say.

February 15, 2008 8:54 AM
ehren Author Profile Page said:

I wonder if a Mac OX is better at pulling wagons than regular oxen...

February 15, 2008 8:55 AM
Anonymous said:

how about "Studies have shown that all deaths have 1 thing in common, the deceased was at some point born. Analysts ( anal + cyst ) recommend banning all births to combat this epidemic."

February 15, 2008 8:59 AM
Shane Twomey said:

Given that the survey was conducted by (shocked pause) a company that supplies anti-virus software, is it a surprise that they are trying to promote the notion that 'The Mac Attack' is imminent?

Shane

February 15, 2008 9:33 AM
Dan Moren Author Profile Page said:

@Anonymous: Your comment reminds me of the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide: "Dihydrogen Monoxide (DHMO) is a colorless and odorless chemical compound, also referred to by some as Dihydrogen Oxide, Hydrogen Hydroxide, Hydronium Hydroxide, or simply Hydric acid. Its basis is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical, a species shown to mutate DNA, denature proteins, disrupt cell membranes, and chemically alter critical neurotransmitters. The atomic components of DHMO are found in a number of caustic, explosive and poisonous compounds such as Sulfuric Acid, Nitroglycerine and Ethyl Alcohol."

February 15, 2008 9:44 AM
Anonymous said:

I always thought that if people used hydrogen hydroxide instead of dihydrogen monoxide for that joke far more people would fall for it.

February 15, 2008 12:48 PM
sdkay said:

>Really: I was so angry I couldn’t even think of a swear word that would be appropriate, so I just said “expletive” as loud as I could.

Belgium?

February 15, 2008 12:56 PM
Anonymous said:

This from the anti-virus company whose software has caused more grief for Mac users, who had the misfortune of having it installed, than any virus since Apple moved to OSX.

February 15, 2008 9:11 PM
Gary Morgan said:

I've read about 20 of these articles over the last few years stating that Macs are doomed to experience heavy malware attack. I'm still waiting! It won't be long before the security companies themselves start writing malware just to say, "I told you so." I'm serious! They a wreaking with jealousy and hateful of the fact that they can't cash in on the Mac platform.

February 16, 2008 9:38 AM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:
It won't be long before the security companies themselves start writing malware just to say, "I told you so."

I'm fairly certain that if they could, they would. ;)

February 16, 2008 9:59 AM
Hoby said:

I agree.. there are several articles like this that have come out this week - kind of the same way that the whole War On Terror thing is always reported, with the Colors Of Danger and all.

Sounds to me like they're trying to lure hackers into making some mac viruses.. hackers that would otherwise not bother. Or actually - they wouldn't even have to. The anti-virus publishers could seed the media with all these Nostradomus visions of impending doom, then turn around and write their own Mac viruses that (of course) they would soon have the antidote for, because you know, their programmers wrote both sets of code.

February 16, 2008 10:55 PM
soundman said:

I read the article on macsurfer and my reaction was the same as yours. The boy cried wolf - but when canus hackus actually starts rampaging, will we be ready?

February 17, 2008 1:04 PM

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