Broken Windows? Get a Mac.
Washington Post reporter Brian Krebs interestingly recommends getting a Mac as one of two alternatives for dealing with a “broken” Windows machine (that is, one, like many of them, that’s infected with malware). The other option: back up everything and then start over with re-installing Windows!
Mr. Krebs has been talked about in this blog before, mainly in reference to the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) he, perhaps unintentionally, helped spread regarding issues with WiFi (AirPort) security on Mac OS X. It’s good to see the guy is pretty upfront when it comes to the security problems with Windows and the security advantages intrinsic in Mac OS X.
While panning Apple’s security commercials as “annoying,” Mr. Krebs goes on to say “Macs are far simpler to maintain from a security perspective. Mac users still must apply patches from time to time (even that can be automated), but they still have little -- if anything -- to worry about from spyware, viruses or computer worms (at least for now).” He’s really quite accurate here, pointing out both the Mac’s advantages as well as potential future issues that could confront the Mac if current trends, such as increased market share and “security researcher” vigilance, continue.
Another interesting way of looking at what Mr. Krebs says: broken Windows machines can’t be fixed! Either they should be wiped clean and reinstalled from scratch, or thrown out entirely and replaced by a Macintosh. Pretty sad.
Thursday, January 25, 2007