[Hidden-tech] Random crashes in XP?

[Steven Solomon]

Folks,

FWIW, there is another reason, besides relatively low numbers of  
machines in the field, for virus attacks not growing in proportion to  
Apple's rapid climb in market share. The current Mac and iPhone OS is  
based on UNIX, the oldest and most mature OS in use. It's age is  
actually a virtue in a number of ways.

As it concerns viruses, called gypsies back in the late 60s and early  
70s when UNIX was first developed, the fact is that the folks that  
invented the OS were the first computer hackers. They knew security  
and how to break it. 30-something years later, the bedrock of the  
system is far more robust than Windows will ever be. The core of the  
OS powers most of the Internet and all of its services. That's not to  
say that UNIX variants, such as OSX, are impenetrable (remember the  
famous Cornell worm of a decade or so ago), but they are tough enough  
to exploit to discourage script-kiddies and geeks with too much time  
on their hands from mucking about.

That said, do keep up to date on patches and upgrades to your  
browser, email, and other Internet connected apps, including the OS  
of your choice. Oh, and secure your wireless network!

S

On Jun 18, 2008, at 2:33 PM, Scott Reed wrote:

>   ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
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>
> Tom,
>
> A massive switch to Apple products is unlikely to resolve this  
> issue. While MS products are rife with vulnerabilities which is 90%  
> of the problem, it is also the case that Apple's smaller installed  
> base makes it a less fruitful target for hackers. Once a  
> significant portion of the market switches to Linux and Mac OS, my  
> guess is hackers will come after us just as rabidly as they have  
> been harassing all the unfortunate MS users. On the other hand, I  
> fully agree that folks whose business allows them and who can  
> afford Apple products, should switch and enjoy the relative peace  
> of the non-MS world while they can.
>
>  Scott
>
> Tom / Reelife Productions wrote:
>
> <tiresome dobee notice snipped>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> Although, I usually loath the tired and annoying apple vs.  
>> microsoft nose-in-the-air-debates, i  think this is an appropriate  
>> place to mention, that in the 18 years that I've been using apple  
>> products, I have never owned or used virus protection software  
>> and, more importantly, never had a virus on any one of my computers.
>>
>> The main reason i mention this is because I always read and hear  
>> about how much  time, money and heartache goes into virus  
>> protection, etc.  it's really debilitating for small businesses  
>> and seems very  unfortunate that people have had to struggle with  
>> this over the years....
>>
>> my .20 cents.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Tom Adams
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Steven Solomon
Writer, Inventor, Near Futurist
ssol at interactiveguild.com
http://www.interactiveguild.com
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