Windows More Secure Than Mac OS X

[SuaveX5]

Hacker: Windows More Secure Than Mac OS X

Regardless of which side you're on (though as a true computing enthusiast, you shouldn't be taking sides), you've heard the arguments back and forth on the which operating system is truly safer – Mac OS X or Windows.


It is of the opinion of Charlie Miller, a well known Mac security guru, that even Snow Leopard, the latest version of Mac OS X, isn't as safe as Windows.


One key point is that Snow Leopard still doesn't have ASLR, or address space layout randomization, which randomly arranges the position of key data making it harder for hackers to target for exploits.


Miller said to TechWorld that Apple didn't change the ASLR from 10.5 to 10.6: "Apple didn't change anything. It's the exact same ASLR as in Leopard, which means it's not very good."


Apple didn’t completely missed the chance to tighten up security in Snow Leopard though, as the new QuickTime solves a lot of the issues that Mac OS X had before.


"Apple rewrote a bunch of QuickTime," said Miller, "which was really smart, since it's been the source of lots of bugs in the past."


One thing that Snow Leopard did adapt, which Windows has had since XP SP2, is DEP (data execution prevention). With DEP, buffer overflow attacks are much harder to execute.


Despite Miller's opinion that Windows is the more secure OS, the large install based of Microsoft-based systems make them a much more attractive target for hackers. Still, Miller would like to see security on all platforms.


"Snow Leopard's more secure than Leopard, but it's not as secure as Vista or Windows 7," he said. "When Apple has both [in place], that's when I'll stop complaining about Apple's security."

Source : Tom's Hardware US

[brian5]

Switcheroo....

[Meiac09]

Windows still makes me cut my wrists... If you're using your computer for top secret shit it shouldn't be connected to the internet.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by Meiac09

Windows still makes me cut my wrists... If you're using your computer for top secret shit it shouldn't be connected to the internet.

Try using Windows 7 It'll make you smile

[rayxi]

Charlie Miller is the guy who in 2008 hacked into a Mac in 2 minutes and won $10,000. He did it again in 2009 but it only took him a couple of seconds to hack into a fully patched MacBook.

Macs have fewer viruses because they are an insignificant target to hackers not because they are inherently more secure.

[Meiac09]

Originally Posted by brian5

Try using Windows 7 It'll make you smile

my host brother has it. It reminds me very much of the 2008 Explodition I rented... I like it, its very shiny, and clean, smells good, has some nice features and makes nice bonging noises, and works... for the first 3 months.

Then I took off the training wheels and got back on my Macbook and opened final cut and had to change my pants. oops.

[Quicksilver]

I'd say on the whole, neither OS has an inherent technical advantage. There are pluses and minuses in each column, but no clear winner.
Is Apple OS X More Secure than Windows? - O'Reilly Broadcast

[Weasel]

I know my mac can be hacked just as fast as any windows machines, but I also know in the last 3 years of having this mac I have had absolutely no problems with it except the batteries in my bluetooth mouse running out once a month...

Meanwhile I don't personally know anyone, including my parents and close friends, that hasn't had some sort of major problems with the windows machines. Whether it be XP home, XP pro, Vista, etc. Most, probably 2 out of every 3, have had to reformat and reinstall windows after major issues... usually trojan viruses.

I reiterate... I know my mac can be hacked just as easy as a windows machine (supposedly) but I know it hasn't and is 20 times less likely to.

[Mozzie]

Weasel, you are spot on!! The joy in having a mac is that it simply works. I was advised against going to a mac by my computer engineer brother in law. I think even he is now impressed (although he won't admit it) about how reliable the mac is and the fact that while it may just as easy to hack, I have had no viruses and the rest of the family has had countless.

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by Mozzie

I have had no viruses and the rest of the family has had countless.

That statement says more about the users than the computers or OS's they're using. I've been using Windows for 20 years on at least 25 different computers, both at work and at home, and I've never had a virus. Does that mean Windows is bullet proof? Absolutely not. It just means you can't blame unsafe user behaviour on the OS. It's like walking down the street waving cash in both hands. If you get robbed you really can't blame the street for being unsafe.