iPhone Security & RoughlyDrafted (continued)

There are no viruses for Mac OS X. Of course, there is no magical barrier that prevents malware from being developed for Macs; it is trivial to create a Mac application or script designed to delete files or display ads. What prevents this potential from becoming a problem is that there are no easy ways to shove malware on users, install it without their knowing and in a way that is difficult to remove, and get it to automatically replicate and distribute itself.

Viruses don’t even need to be written specifically for OS X.All they need to do is write Word Macro viruses and leverage VM or Boot Camp or Crossover to propagate. Users fall for it, all the same.

Secondly, it is very easy to shove malware on users, and have things install without the users’ knowledge. Why do you think tools like Tracker exist? Because most installers ask for your admin passphrase which allows them to run as root, which means they can put stuff wherever they please.

Want a case and point? Look at all the droppings that Adobe leaves when you install Photoshop. Either way, you give away the keys to the kingdom every time that you give your admin passphrase to an installer. They can do whatever they want to you after that. You can’t stop them.

Among the torrent of bad news for Mac OS X was the recent announcement by an anonymous source that a new worm would soon appear and create widespread devastation. However, after creating headlines, the source disappeared, complaining that he'd been scared off by ‘death threats from fanatical Mac users.’

Does any of this sound familiar? It’s not like you labeled this unknown source as an “Internet Terrorist” in your previous articles.

The fact that a malicious exploit is being threatened by an anonymous coward--who claims to have been paid to deliver his exploit as a message that the Mac is “as susceptible” as Windows--should be booed, not applauded.

Smear campaigns against ISE, Maynor, LMH and KF, and Raven Adler. It’s nothing new. Business as usual at Apple.

Eventually we’ll get around to talking about some actual iPhone tech, rather than just analyzing some of the commentary.