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buggsuperstar · Jun 7, 2005, 02:13 AM

Mods, please merge this topic with the main Apple to Intel thread if you deem it necessary.

I would just like to get everyone's take on how Apple's move to Intel would impact viruses and spyware on OS X.

Would we see an increase? Would the shift to Intel's architecture make it easier for viruses/spyware to make it onto the Mac platform?

Right now, lack of viruses/spyware and better security is a big plus of the PPC/OS X platform.

MindFad · Jun 7, 2005, 02:14 AM

How is it a big plus because of the processor? I thought it was strictly a software issue, and the vulnerbilities inherent in its design.

anthonyvthc · Jun 7, 2005, 02:15 AM

I think it has much more to do with the OS than the processor.

mac freak · Jun 7, 2005, 02:19 AM

It would be easier to "port" viruses, so to speak...

I think it's a silly thing to worry about.

Kenneth · Jun 7, 2005, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by anthonyvthc

I think it has much more to do with the OS than the processor.

ditto

alphasubzero949 · Jun 7, 2005, 02:22 AM

1. Repeat after me: viruses do not infect processors.

2. Whack yourself over the head with a beer bottle and repeat the above.

Repeat those steps until you get it.

hyteckit · Jun 7, 2005, 02:22 AM

Viruses run on Windows, not Intel.

Viruses and spyware exploit the holes in Windows. What do you think?

E's Lil Theorem · Jun 7, 2005, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by mac freak

It would be easier to "port" viruses, so to speak...

I think it's a silly thing to worry about.

That's assuming that the same vulnerabilities exists in Mac OS as the ones these viruses are targeting in Windows. And, we all know that's not the case. So, as your second sentence says, it's a silly thing to worry about

Chuckit · Jun 7, 2005, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by anthonyvthc

I think it has much more to do with the OS than the processor.

No. They both preclude viruses, but if Windows were ported to PowerPC, none of the Win32 viruses would run on Windows PPCE (or whatever insane acronym Microsoft dreams up) any more than they do the Mac. The processor makes it impossible for those binaries to run.

As for the question: Most viruses are very Windows-specific — they rely on security holes in Windows. So no, using the same processor as Windows wouldn't make you vulnerable to the same viruses.

buggsuperstar · Jun 7, 2005, 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

No. They both preclude viruses, but if Windows were ported to PowerPC, none of the Win32 viruses would run on Windows PPCE (or whatever insane acronym Microsoft dreams up) any more than they do the Mac. The processor makes it impossible for those binaries to run.

This is more like what I'm getting at. I DO know that viruses don't infect processors. But what I'm saying is that currently there are no viruses for PPC because the binaries are different. Once Apple moves to Intel, the universal binaries would be the same and wouldn't that open up the possibility of a virus for Mac?

At the moment, the PPC architecture seems to be a "hardware" protection to viruses since Windows viruses won't run on PPC processors.

And by my own admission, I'm not as technically inclined as some forum members here, so I appreciate all of those who bear with my "newbish" questions and comments.

As for bashing my head in with a beer bottle, alphasubzero949, I think you need to take a chill pill. Not everyone is as knowledgeable as you are.

alphasubzero949 · Jun 7, 2005, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

At the moment, the PPC architecture seems to be a "hardware" protection to viruses since Windows viruses won't run on PPC processors.

Again, you are mistakened in your logic. Classic Mac OS viruses ran rampant on PPC architecture. Of course, OS X also runs on PPC.

It's the operating system, not the processor.

There are no existing viruses in the UNIX world. Trojans and worms? Yes. But mostly proof-of-concepts. Why? They're difficult to propagate, especially in OS X.

1. Root is turned off by default.
2. You must specifically run the offending code (unlike in Windows which can auto-execute).
3. Permissions.

Viruses run rampant in Windows because it is a single-user system. If Windows were to run on PPC with Rosetta-like emulation, you can bet you'll still have the same problems.

buggsuperstar · 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by alphasubzero949

Again, you are mistakened in your logic. Classic Mac OS viruses ran rampant on PPC architecture. Of course, OS X also runs on PPC.

It's the operating system, not the processor.

There are no existing viruses in the UNIX world. Trojans and worms? Yes. But mostly proof-of-concepts. Why? They're difficult to propagate, especially in OS X.

1. Root is turned off by default.
2. You must specifically run the offending code (unlike in Windows which can auto-execute).
3. Permissions.

Viruses run rampant in Windows because it is a single-user system.

Ahh... thank you for enlightening me.

See? wasn't that much nicer than telling me to hurt myself with a hard object?

Lancer409 · Jun 7, 2005, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

...

See? wasn't that much nicer than telling me to hurt myself with a hard object?

I love that line... lol

budster101 · Jun 7, 2005, 08:56 AM

Who would run Windows? I may but on a PC... not my Mac. Not ever. Too many vulnerabilities.

turtle777 · Jun 7, 2005, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by alphasubzero949

1. Repeat after me: viruses do not infect processors.
2. Whack yourself over the head with a beer bottle and repeat the above.
Repeat those steps until you get it.

Seconded.

-t

turtle777 · Jun 7, 2005, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

See? wasn't that much nicer than telling me to hurt myself with a hard object?

Yeah, but less fun for the rest of us

-t

badidea · Jun 7, 2005, 11:46 AM

...but but but INTEL is a virus..............not?????

budster101 · Jun 7, 2005, 12:00 PM

How is Intel a virus? Windows is a worm.

olePigeon · Jun 7, 2005, 12:35 PM

I remember a virus that could effect a particular IBM with a P166. It'd turn off the fan and run the CPU at full speed until it burned itself out.

budster101 · Jun 7, 2005, 12:43 PM

I remember that one! I'm sure it only worked if one was running WINDOWS.

Athens · Jun 7, 2005, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

Mods, please merge this topic with the main Apple to Intel thread if you deem it necessary.

I would just like to get everyone's take on how Apple's move to Intel would impact viruses and spyware on OS X.

Would we see an increase? Would the shift to Intel's architecture make it easier for viruses/spyware to make it onto the Mac platform?

Right now, lack of viruses/spyware and better security is a big plus of the PPC/OS X platform.

Im simply not going to be nice this time, SOME PEOPLE ARE FREAKING MORONS. Hardware has NOTHING TO DO with viruses and spyware. This is 100% the OS. Incase you dont know what a OS is thats what Mac OS X, or Windows XP OS, or Linuix OS. Windows on PPC/MAC under emulation gets just as many viruses as on a real pc.

Athens · Jun 7, 2005, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by budster101

How is Intel a virus? Windows is a worm.

HAHA

buggsuperstar · Jun 7, 2005, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Athens

Im simply not going to be nice this time, SOME PEOPLE ARE FREAKING MORONS. Hardware has NOTHING TO DO with viruses and spyware. This is 100% the OS. Incase you dont know what a OS is thats what Mac OS X, or Windows XP OS, or Linuix OS. Windows on PPC/MAC under emulation gets just as many viruses as on a real pc.

no need to get your knickers in a knot.

turtle777 · Jun 7, 2005, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

no need to get your knickers in a knot.

Technically, he is correct.

Especially with his point that some people are freaking MORONS.

-t

buggsuperstar · Jun 7, 2005, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Technically, he is correct.

Especially with his point that some people are freaking MORONS.

-t

I'll just chalk it down to some people being sore about the switch to Intel.

turtle777 · Jun 7, 2005, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by buggsuperstar

I'll just chalk it down to some people being sore about the switch to Intel.

That would be completely missing his point, though.

He talked about the fear of viruses and spyware, and how it has NOTHING to do with the processor, but all with the OS.

-t

alphasubzero949 · Jun 7, 2005, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by budster101

How is Intel a virus? Windows is a worm.

buggsuperstar · Jun 7, 2005, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

That would be completely missing his point, though.

He talked about the fear of viruses and spyware, and how it has NOTHING to do with the processor, but all with the OS.

-t

Couldn't agree with you more. And I DO see his point.

Just saying that his reply was rather more hostile than necessary, which perhaps had something to do with the bombshell Steve just dropped.

Anyways, I'll just leave it as that. He, and others, have made their point. And in various degrees of politeness too.

brapper · Jun 7, 2005, 01:24 PM

so i guess now that the question has been answered 10 times.......
lates.

Goldfinger · Jun 7, 2005, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Athens

Incase you dont know what a OS is thats what Mac OS X, or Windows XP OS, or Linuix OS. Windows on PPC/MAC under emulation gets just as many viruses as on a real pc.

Let me add to that that "Office" isn't the OS. Some people do confuse Office with Windows

turtle777 · Jun 7, 2005, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Goldfinger

Let me add to that that "Office" isn't the OS. Some people do confuse Office with Windows

Nah, they are the same.

Both have windows, both come from M$, both suck on PPC

-t

davesimondotcom · Jun 7, 2005, 01:54 PM

Viruses and spyware would have to be recompiled too. LOL