Virus expert: Mac is no more secure than Windows

Only the lowest penetration of the market protects Apple computers
As an advantage of Windows on Mac security often the platform is headed. Windows computers are often plagued by viruses and malware that Apple computers. If true, does not mean that Macs are more secure than Microsoft's operating system, therefore, as a security expert Andreas Marx explains in an interview with heise.
Windows 60 000 parasites per day
Marx is the head of the German Security AV-Test, the testing company on behalf of anti-virus software. In addition, unprotected computers connected to the Internet, to see how fast they are infected with viruses and this new pest drag on the Internet. According to Marx, were counted in 2010 per day up to 60,000 different pests for Windows machines, while on Mac, Linux and mobile operating system were on average only about 50.
Mac is also vulnerable
This does not mean that Macs are safer and less to give viruses. Apple computers are just a matter less of a threat, because Mac has a lower market penetration of commercial Windows and virus writers. The platform the most widely used is the purpose lukrativstes, and it's Windows. "If you put yourself in the situation, but virtually pest-programmer, Mac OS X can be an attractive target, but should be the platform programming," said Marx. The security expert believes that the number will increase attacks on the Mac. Current Mac viruses as a trial balloon could be seen for virus writers to try how fast they spread. Marx: "This proves that the Mac platform is vulnerable."
Anti-virus software does not pay for Mac users
The integrated file quarantine and signatures Mac OS X, however, Marx holds for "sham". The list of signatures will not be updated regularly and covers only a few signatures. "All anti-virus software protects better here," says the boss of AV. A simple virus scanner would be useful for Mac users, but not right now. If so, then the software should protect against other threats such as phishing sites or traps subscription. For this you can also use some alternative DNS servers from Symantec. It is also recommended for the weak, because anti-virus software often need many resources. Malicious software sent by e-mail can be filtered and the appropriate service provider.
Apple responds too slowly
Marx criticized reports that vulnerabilities Apple does not seem to take too seriously. Microsoft responds quickly with a response from Apple was not so obvious. On both platforms, but it could take a long time to be released patch. In general, would be published soon on Windows Update, as indicated in the current issue of c't. Apple let the sometimes very long time, to be released update. It comes from, but probably less of a lack of knowledge among developers as to the prioritization of management