Anticipation of Increased Threats for Mac Users, Predicts Panda Labs

A warning from security experts in Panda labs proposes that the rising demand for Mac in the market will outnumber triggered threats to its users.

Commenting on the matter, Luis Corrons stated that, the number of security holes that affects the operating system of Apple is the most concerning issue. He is further hopeful that Apple operating system gets patching to the earliest possibility since hackers are conscious of vulnerabilities propagated through these malwares, as reported by Info Security on December 13, 2010.

Currently, security vendor, AV Test detects 60.000 various malware and viruses per day, in comparison to a dull approximation of 50 due Macs. Huge amount of machines that runs Windows and malware construction kits for less able programmers is reason enough for this difference. Commenting on the whole matter, Andreas Marx, CEO of AV Test stated that, porting a malicious software to Mac - particularly a trojan is not at all a difficult process, however it requires specialized knowledge," as reported by TechEye on December 22, 2010.

Apple operating system is not the lone malware developers in the sites. Since cybercriminals are improving on malware that targets operating system, experts anticipates a continual increase of cyber attacks against Windows 7 in 2011.

During the same time, experts also forecasted that the rate of growth for new malware will decline during 2011. Despite rise in malware, the year-on-year growth rate has been decreasing. Few years ago, this growth rate reached its peak at 100%, this year it was only at 50% and the trend is anticipated to continue in 2011 as well.

Experts, however, held the view that Mac users should be least bothered since their number of machines is too few to be an easy target for criminals. At this current threat level, to avoid phishing sites, users should resort to free DNS services.

In addition, users are advised to use antivirus programs correctly and ensure updating it on a regular basis along with the updating of software applications with manufacturers' patches, and installment of firewall.

Related article: Antioch University Suffers Multiple Computer Hacks

» SPAMfighter News - 1/6/2011