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Symantec Reveals NAV Flaw That Affects Mac OS X
by , 4:55 PM EST, December 26th, 2005
Symantec on Monday said that its Norton Anti-Virus (NAV) software contains a flaw that could enable a remote user to take over a computer running Mac OS X. According to CNET reporter Munir Kotadia: "Symantec has not yet issued a patch to fix the issue but it has updated its scanning signatures to look for applications that try to exploit the vulnerability."
As Mr. Katadia pointed out, Mac OS X users have yet to face the kind of malware onslaught that plagues the Windows world, which means such companies as Symantec must rely on the specter of a future threat. In fact, Symantec warned last March that as Apple increases its market share, Mac users will face more serious threats, and an IT manager told Mr. Katadia that the operating system "still contains vulnerabilities that will be exploited."
In light of Symantec's revelation, however, the reporter remarked: "For now anyway, instead of spending my money on a copy of NAV for OS X, I will be buying a big round in the pub."
Observer Comments
Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:23 pm Subject: Sooner or later
QuoteGuest wrote:
Selling anti-virus software to someone running Unix (aka OS X, Linux, etc) is like selling a shark repellant to someone who lives in the desert!
Despite what hoople heads say it isn't so much the low market share that protects as much as it is the superior OS when compared to Windows. As secure as our swimming waters are, sooner or later there is going to be a MacShark attack.
Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:23 pm Subject: Love the irony
Headline: First Trojan for MacOS X
Subtitle: First piece of malware which is not free; requires purchase
Only $78.71 from Office Nation. Buy today and save! Be the first on your block with a Trojan for MacOS X. Supplies are limited.
But i thought malware was supposed to be a free download? Now you have to buy it?
Guess they need to drop the “Anti” from Norton Anti-Virus and just call it Norton Virus Works for MacOS X
Mon Dec 26, 2005 7:29 pm Subject: Security by obscurity is just a myth
QuoteAl Swearengen wrote:
Despite what hoople heads say it isn't so much the low market share that protects as much as it is the superior OS when compared to Windows.
Don’t equivocate: It’s nothing about market share and is all about software design (or lack thereof, in the case of Windoze).
Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:43 am Subject: Can't help it
QuoteRainy Day wrote:QuoteAl Swearengen wrote:
Despite what hoople heads say it isn't so much the low market share that protects as much as it is the superior OS when compared to Windows.
Don’t equivocate: It’s nothing about market share and is all about software design (or lack thereof, in the case of Windoze).
Sorry, but I can't help but to equivocate, it was part of my training. I wanted to be a politician until the opposition started dragging the skeletons out of my closet. Now I am not just currying political favor when I agree with you. A lot of hackers would like to see us get our comeuppance for gloating over our lack of malware and virus so I am sure that there have been attempts.
"Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important."
Eugene McCarthy
Sun Jan 01, 2006 1:16 pm Subject: Possible attacks
Given that we've seen attacks on Bluetooth phones, and attacks on specific software running on specific versions of Unix, it's quite clear hackers will attack anything they can.
The most likely vector is a Trojan, as that relies on the weak link in the chain - the user - to compromise security, and the more mainstream the platform gets, the more likely it is to happen. (Not just down to number, but because at the moment I think Mac users are actually still more security aware on average, because many of them are long term Unix users).
Nice to see a well written article that outlines the multiple reasons for Mac security.
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