There are some on this forum who continually urge members to drop windows and convert to Apple. One of the things touted is that Apple has no vulnerabilities. Could those members please explain this warning?
-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 17th of August 2015 09:21:25 PM
exa41 said
09:42 PM Aug 17, 2015
If you think that you are not vulnerable to anything these days your off with thr pixies ,these mongrel will do anything for a dollar.no matter if it's windows apple or android.
03_Troopy said
09:12 AM Aug 18, 2015
exa41 wrote:
If you think that you are not vulnerable to anything these days your off with thr pixies ,these mongrel will do anything for a dollar.no matter if it's windows apple or android.
You forgot Linux too..
exa41 said
12:02 PM Aug 18, 2015
Not sure about Linux Troopy ,used it once when I tried to upgrade my pc ,didn't really like it all that much as nothing else worked and I wasn't patient enough to play with it. Just done the windows 10 thing and doesn't seem to be too bad although time will tell. I use to get the dreaded blue screen with 8.1 and hoping that goes away ,but I bought a Samsung galaxy tab s which I use now more than the laptop.
03_Troopy said
06:56 PM Aug 18, 2015
exa41 wrote:
Not sure about Linux Troopy ,used it once when I tried to upgrade my pc ,didn't really like it all that much as nothing else worked and I wasn't patient enough to play with it. Just done the windows 10 thing and doesn't seem to be too bad although time will tell. I use to get the dreaded blue screen with 8.1 and hoping that goes away ,but I bought a Samsung galaxy tab s which I use now more than the laptop.
I was just saying you forgot to add it to the list of OS's when you listed windows, apple and android.
reglynn said
11:19 AM Aug 19, 2015
Having a Apple for the past 5 years the first was a white mac book and this one is a Mac Book ( Retina) using OSX Yosemite 10.10.4 version.
I have never had a problem with any virus or vulnerabilities and have never had any antivirus put on.
I'am very careful of what i do download and what i'am to update. By say that if I download it i know it safe to open it or update it.
If you are unsure of the update, my advice would checkup on the update by clicking on it and it will tell you about it.
I hope this help you, Cheers reg
Ondabeach said
06:56 PM Aug 19, 2015
Any OS can get a virus because a virus is simply a malicious app. OS vulnerability is directly proportionate to how widely used it is because apps need to be written for a specific OS and the majority of low life pond scum that write viruses target the majority market.
There are far more viruses written to attack Windows because the majority of PC's and laptops run Windows. There are far fewer viruses that attack Apple and almost none that that attack Linux systems... because far fewer apple computers and comparatively, almost none running Linux derivatives.
Conversely, there are fewer viruses that attack Windows mobile phones because there are less of them around.
No matter what OS you use... think before you click... and use virus protection.
03_Troopy said
07:03 PM Aug 19, 2015
It can be a non OS based threat also. Some browsers and browser plugins will have vulnerabilities which need to get plugged regularly.
Ondabeach said
07:21 PM Aug 19, 2015
You're right Troopy, but browser targeted threats aren't apps, they're scripts, which don't have the same potential for harm that OS specific apps do. But the same rules apply... think before click... and use protection.
03_Troopy said
11:09 AM Aug 20, 2015
Ondabeach wrote:
You're right Troopy, but browser targeted threats aren't apps, they're scripts, which don't have the same potential for harm that OS specific apps do. But the same rules apply... think before click... and use protection.
When did viruses and malware become apps? the term app is just a shortened form of the word application. Malicious executables maybe? but scripts can have nasty consequences too.
A 'drive-by-download' attack is a malware delivery technique that is triggered simply because the user visited a website. Traditionally, malware was only 'activated' as a result of the user proactively opening an infected file (for example, opening an email attachment or double clicking on an executable that had been downloaded from the Internet).
Unfortunately, hackers have become much more sophisticated over recent years and this level of interaction is no longer required. Malware may be served as hidden codes within a website content, served content like banners, advertisements and used as a vehicle for hacking and other cyber-crime. The simple act of visiting a site is enough to get your computer infected or your personal details stolen.
"
Ondabeach said
12:00 PM Aug 20, 2015
Yes, 'apps' is short for applications aka executables, the terms are completely interchangeable... therefore viruses have always been apps, though malicious scripts also get called viruses. My point is that executables/applications/apps/programs, call them what you like, can quite literally do anything to your system, even initiate a format of your hard drive. The level of damage an exe can do can not be matched by a browser based script.
Geekbuddy is a security product that it's creators want you to use to generate those all important hits and clicks. That info is misleading because the only way any personal information is going to be stolen by simply visiting a site is if you have your security settings set to off or the minimum possible.
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:00 PM
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:28 PM
Muskat55 said
03:13 PM Aug 20, 2015
I'm using a combination of Android, Windows 8.1 and Linux Ubuntu. I've always thought Apple products are for cashed up know nothings, they are very nicely designed, but are a premium price for a system that the user has limited control over. If you don't know much then that is probably ok. The machine I'm writing this on is an old desktop with Linux Ubuntu, it previously ran Windows XP and when that product was no longer supported, the machine was unable to run the later versions of Windows as it is relatively low spec. The advantage of Ubuntu is that viruses and malware are rare and you can give an old low spec machine a new lease on life. I wouldn't recommend to a computer novice, but it installed flawlessly on my old machine with everything working.
Muzzlehatch said
04:05 PM Aug 20, 2015
Muskat55 wrote:
I'm using a combination of Android, Windows 8.1 and Linux Ubuntu.
<snip>
I wouldn't recommend to a computer novice, but it installed flawlessly on my old machine with everything working.
I am using much the same setup myself. Having fiddled with computers since thee PDP - 8 I have spent countless hours absorbing the overheads necessary to get a computer to actually do something. Back in the Mac Classic II days I thought the fruitbox was a brilliantly easy to use machine. Just like a bathtoy. They were expensive though.
I would contend that, today a complete novice (i.e. never used one before) would be better off with Ubuntu Linux. If you are already resonably happy with Windows then I wouldn't bother to swap just "because". About three years ago Ubuntu Linux became a low maintenance easy to use OS that requires less maintenace and less buggerizing about than Windows. Particularly when it come to software installs. There are now full featured apps for 3 D graphics video/audio editing etc which are good enough for just putting about. For simple web browsing and such Linux is dead easy but if you want to go ahead and learn to power use it then you have that option.
I am not a Linux enthusist, just lazy. The days of wasting head scratching hours on a Linux desktop install that did practically nothing without a fight are over.
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Thursday 20th of August 2015 04:07:09 PM
03_Troopy said
06:41 PM Aug 20, 2015
Ondabeach wrote:
Yes, 'apps' is short for applications aka executables, the terms are completely interchangeable... therefore viruses have always been apps, though malicious scripts also get called viruses. My point is that executables/applications/apps/programs, call them what you like, can quite literally do anything to your system, even initiate a format of your hard drive. The level of damage an exe can do can not be matched by a browser based script.
Geekbuddy is a security product that it's creators want you to use to generate those all important hits and clicks. That info is misleading because the only way any personal information is going to be stolen by simply visiting a site is if you have your security settings set to off or the minimum possible.
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:00 PM
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:28 PM
Geez ondabeach, the term application is generally used to describe a useful software program, not a virus. Viruses have been around for yonks and so have anti virus programs to combat them. They have never been called apps or applications in all that time that I know of. The collective group of viruses, rootkits, trojans, key loggers, malicious scripts, browser hijackers and BHO's etc is generally referred to as Malware.. NOT APPS
Although it is good that you have found out how nasty malware in general can be.
Ondabeach said
08:18 PM Aug 20, 2015
Whether a program is a word processor, a game, an image editor or something with malicious intent such as a virus, it is still a program, or app or application... no difference.
03_Troopy said
09:04 AM Aug 21, 2015
Ondabeach wrote:
Whether a program is a word processor, a game, an image editor or something with malicious intent such as a virus, it is still a program, or app or application... no difference.
You win, you can have the last word...
Delta18 said
09:48 AM Aug 21, 2015
Sometimes I roll my eyes out loud!
Ondabeach said
11:05 AM Aug 21, 2015
No worries Troopy, as a computer tech and software developer for over 30 years I could bore you to death with the evolution of computing terms :)
In the beginning there were just lines of code, which then became known as programs, because they were a series of tasks for a computer to perform, like an exercise program.
Originally the term 'application' was used correctly, as a verb to describe what job a computer program was 'applied' to. As in 'what application does your program serve?' Back then a virus was still something you saw your doctor about, and he'd tell you to eat an apple... which was still a piece of fruit.
The first desktop computers weren't called PCs, they were just called 'desktop computers' because the fact that you could fit a computer on your desk was mind boggling. The term 'Personal Computer' hadn't even been thought of because no-one seriously thought the average person could ever afford his own computer... that was a ridiculous idea. Back then computers cost more than houses and only large companies and legal firms could afford them.
When me and the guys saw our first external 5mb hard drive, which weighed about 5kg and was the size of 2 shoeboxes we were blown away with how tiny it was. But we all laughed and joked about how no one could possibly need to store that much data... except maybe the US government. I think it took about 15 years to get to the first 1GB internal drive and a high end PC had maybe 16mb of ram if you were lucky enough to be able to afford it.
Many years later the abbreviation 'app' came into being when teenagers could afford smartphones and were too lazy to wrap their little brains around such a long word as application.
03_Troopy said
11:27 AM Aug 21, 2015
Here's a browser exploit vulnerability for Firefox, which is OS non specific... Firefox exploit found in the wild there are patches available for different OS's.
Ondabeach said
11:54 AM Aug 21, 2015
Yep, that's the problem with scripts, they're third tier code so they'll run on any OS because it's the interpreter that runs them, in this case the interpreter is the browser. Even worse are malicious java scripts because they'll run on any browser or OS. And with scripts you don't even need to click on anything, just visit the site. Anyone that surfs the web without up to date protection is crazy... like going to an orgy without a condom
Hylda&Jon said
10:52 AM Aug 22, 2015
Apple is, now days, more vulnerable to viruses than it used to be many years ago but is still much safer than windows because windows is much more widely used so more popular for people to attack as there will be more victims.
As for reasons for using Apple. I prefer the operating system as, in my view, it is less cluttered and easier to use and less prone to crashes. We have 2 windows and 2 Apple Macs in this house so it is easy to compare. The computers themselves are better made. Obviously you pay for the better quality but if you get a high end Windows computer it, of course, will also be better made and you pay for that also.
Linux computer systems are just the operating systems so I can only comment on the software. Great operating system and safer than Mac and Window, again due to the amount of users. I myself would find it frustrating using Linux as I'd be constantly trying to find programs that do what I want. As it is, even with Apple I have to sometimes go on long searches online to find a program that does something the way I want it to.
There are some on this forum who continually urge members to drop windows and convert to Apple. One of the things touted is that Apple has no vulnerabilities. Could those members please explain this warning?
Alert Priority High, Apple releases a number of updates for widely used products
-- Edited by PeterD on Monday 17th of August 2015 09:21:25 PM
You forgot Linux too..
I was just saying you forgot to add it to the list of OS's when you listed windows, apple and android.
Having a Apple for the past 5 years the first was a white mac book and this one is a Mac Book ( Retina) using OSX Yosemite 10.10.4 version.
I have never had a problem with any virus or vulnerabilities and have never had any antivirus put on.
I'am very careful of what i do download and what i'am to update. By say that if I download it i know it safe to open it or update it.
If you are unsure of the update, my advice would checkup on the update by clicking on it and it will tell you about it.
I hope this help you, Cheers reg
Any OS can get a virus because a virus is simply a malicious app. OS vulnerability is directly proportionate to how widely used it is because apps need to be written for a specific OS and the majority of low life pond scum that write viruses target the majority market.
There are far more viruses written to attack Windows because the majority of PC's and laptops run Windows. There are far fewer viruses that attack Apple and almost none that that attack Linux systems... because far fewer apple computers and comparatively, almost none running Linux derivatives.
Conversely, there are fewer viruses that attack Windows mobile phones because there are less of them around.
No matter what OS you use... think before you click... and use virus protection.
You're right Troopy, but browser targeted threats aren't apps, they're scripts, which don't have the same potential for harm that OS specific apps do. But the same rules apply... think before click... and use protection.
When did viruses and malware become apps? the term app is just a shortened form of the word application. Malicious executables maybe? but scripts can have nasty consequences too.
What is Drive-By-Download
"
GeekBuddy says:
A 'drive-by-download' attack is a malware delivery technique that is triggered simply because the user visited a website. Traditionally, malware was only 'activated' as a result of the user proactively opening an infected file (for example, opening an email attachment or double clicking on an executable that had been downloaded from the Internet).
Unfortunately, hackers have become much more sophisticated over recent years and this level of interaction is no longer required. Malware may be served as hidden codes within a website content, served content like banners, advertisements and used as a vehicle for hacking and other cyber-crime. The simple act of visiting a site is enough to get your computer infected or your personal details stolen.
"
Yes, 'apps' is short for applications aka executables, the terms are completely interchangeable... therefore viruses have always been apps, though malicious scripts also get called viruses. My point is that executables/applications/apps/programs, call them what you like, can quite literally do anything to your system, even initiate a format of your hard drive. The level of damage an exe can do can not be matched by a browser based script.
Geekbuddy is a security product that it's creators want you to use to generate those all important hits and clicks. That info is misleading because the only way any personal information is going to be stolen by simply visiting a site is if you have your security settings set to off or the minimum possible.
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:00 PM
-- Edited by Ondabeach on Thursday 20th of August 2015 12:09:28 PM
I am using much the same setup myself. Having fiddled with computers since thee PDP - 8 I have spent countless hours absorbing the overheads necessary to get a computer to actually do something. Back in the Mac Classic II days I thought the fruitbox was a brilliantly easy to use machine. Just like a bathtoy. They were expensive though.
I would contend that, today a complete novice (i.e. never used one before) would be better off with Ubuntu Linux. If you are already resonably happy with Windows then I wouldn't bother to swap just "because". About three years ago Ubuntu Linux became a low maintenance easy to use OS that requires less maintenace and less buggerizing about than Windows. Particularly when it come to software installs. There are now full featured apps for 3 D graphics video/audio editing etc which are good enough for just putting about. For simple web browsing and such Linux is dead easy but if you want to go ahead and learn to power use it then you have that option.
I am not a Linux enthusist, just lazy. The days of wasting head scratching hours on a Linux desktop install that did practically nothing without a fight are over.
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Thursday 20th of August 2015 04:07:09 PM
Geez ondabeach, the term application is generally used to describe a useful software program, not a virus. Viruses have been around for yonks and so have anti virus programs to combat them. They have never been called apps or applications in all that time that I know of. The collective group of viruses, rootkits, trojans, key loggers, malicious scripts, browser hijackers and BHO's etc is generally referred to as Malware.. NOT APPS
Although it is good that you have found out how nasty malware in general can be.
Whether a program is a word processor, a game, an image editor or something with malicious intent such as a virus, it is still a program, or app or application... no difference.
You win, you can have the last word...
No worries Troopy, as a computer tech and software developer for over 30 years I could bore you to death with the evolution of computing terms :)
In the beginning there were just lines of code, which then became known as programs, because they were a series of tasks for a computer to perform, like an exercise program.
Originally the term 'application' was used correctly, as a verb to describe what job a computer program was 'applied' to. As in 'what application does your program serve?' Back then a virus was still something you saw your doctor about, and he'd tell you to eat an apple... which was still a piece of fruit.
The first desktop computers weren't called PCs, they were just called 'desktop computers' because the fact that you could fit a computer on your desk was mind boggling. The term 'Personal Computer' hadn't even been thought of because no-one seriously thought the average person could ever afford his own computer... that was a ridiculous idea. Back then computers cost more than houses and only large companies and legal firms could afford them.
When me and the guys saw our first external 5mb hard drive, which weighed about 5kg and was the size of 2 shoeboxes we were blown away with how tiny it was. But we all laughed and joked about how no one could possibly need to store that much data... except maybe the US government. I think it took about 15 years to get to the first 1GB internal drive and a high end PC had maybe 16mb of ram if you were lucky enough to be able to afford it.
Many years later the abbreviation 'app' came into being when teenagers could afford smartphones and were too lazy to wrap their little brains around such a long word as application.
Here's a browser exploit vulnerability for Firefox, which is OS non specific... Firefox exploit found in the wild there are patches available for different OS's.
Yep, that's the problem with scripts, they're third tier code so they'll run on any OS because it's the interpreter that runs them, in this case the interpreter is the browser. Even worse are malicious java scripts because they'll run on any browser or OS. And with scripts you don't even need to click on anything, just visit the site. Anyone that surfs the web without up to date protection is crazy... like going to an orgy without a condom
Apple is, now days, more vulnerable to viruses than it used to be many years ago but is still much safer than windows because windows is much more widely used so more popular for people to attack as there will be more victims.
As for reasons for using Apple. I prefer the operating system as, in my view, it is less cluttered and easier to use and less prone to crashes. We have 2 windows and 2 Apple Macs in this house so it is easy to compare. The computers themselves are better made. Obviously you pay for the better quality but if you get a high end Windows computer it, of course, will also be better made and you pay for that also.
Linux computer systems are just the operating systems so I can only comment on the software. Great operating system and safer than Mac and Window, again due to the amount of users. I myself would find it frustrating using Linux as I'd be constantly trying to find programs that do what I want. As it is, even with Apple I have to sometimes go on long searches online to find a program that does something the way I want it to.
That's my 2 cents worth.
Cheers.
How many of you have jail broken iPhones or pads. There is a new warning come in today -