[X4U] A Consumer Reports letter to the Editor

[Robert Ameeti]

Your September 2005 report on personal computers had some weaknesses. 
The report started out saying "Security might not be foremost in your 
mind when you're shopping for a computer, but it should play a part 
in your decision." This seems to be in contrast to the bold headlines 
of that month's issue: "The odds are 1 in 3 that your computer will 
be damaged or trashed by viruses or spyware..."  Wouldn't it seem 
prudent to put security at the very top of your list so that you 
might not become a statistic and waste your hard earned money?

The article then goes on to say "Viruses and spyware are far more 
likely to target Windows PCs than Macs."  Most any of your 
statisticians would easily agree since there are over 400,000 viruses 
that are designed to attack the Windows operating system while there 
is not a single one that has been found in the wild for the Macintosh 
OS X operating system.

The technical assistant missed a an item when your report said "It's 
too soon to know however, whether new Macs will be more vulnerable to 
attack once Apple begins its switch to Intel processors, the type 
used in Windows PCs, next year." The fact is that viruses attack the 
weaknesses of an operating system, not a processor. Many operating 
systems use Intel processors but you don't hear about them have 
problems with viruses like you do with the Window's PCs.

Lastly, the article says "Whether you opt for a Windows PC or a Mac, 
you should use antivirus, firewall, and antispyware programs." The 
truth is that every antivirus software program on the Mac has had 
multiple versions that have caused problems for Macintosh users while 
being installed on an operating system for which there are not 
viruses. Doesn't seem to make sense to me. And as for Spyware? This 
too is a non issue on a Macintosh. There are no spyware programs at 
this time on a Mac.
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Robert Ameeti

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
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