[X4U] Consumer Reports

[Robert Ameeti]

At 11:44 PM -0500, 9/7/05, Linda wrote:

My letter to the Editor read:

>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

Ads are the cave art of the twentieth century.
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