The latest rash of malware attacks on Mac computers has Eugene Kaspersky (chief executive offer of Kaspersky security firm) wonder about Apple’s Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) approach to internet security. During a recent appearance at Infosecurity 2012, Kapersky admitted that he thought Apple was ten years behind Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in terms of security. He further stated that all this time he thought Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) were not very different from each other. He also said that it was always possible to create malware for Macs but this most recent attack from Flashback is different.
Recently, over 650,000 Mac computers have been infected by Flashback malware. Morever a recent study indicated that one out of every five Macs have Windows malware and 2.7 of them have Mac OS X malware. While that number sounds insignificant, Kaspersky thinks it’s just the beginning.
It’s interesting that malware developers are taking an interest in Mac computers after all these yeas, especially since more people are starting to trade traditional computers for mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. It just goes to show you that no computer or tech device is 100% safe and that there will always be some sort of risk that comes with using internet-abled devices.
Some Apple fans may be dismayed by the news but it’s a reality that was bound to happen sooner or later. This doesn’t mean that malware developers are going to abandon Microsoft devices. I’m also going to make a prediction that virus developers may one day create a virus that effects both operating systems.
What’s next for Apple and the future of OS X? Hopefully, more security. In less than two months, Apple will host their WWDC event in San Francisco and it’s reported that there will be some exciting new changes involving OS X, which may involve new measures in internet security. Perhaps they could recruit someone from Norton Antivirus or Symantec to help them design new patches for current and future operating systems.
