"Macintoshes already had more viruses with a much lower user base." (compared to Linux.)

This is not a factually complete statement.

First, I doubt there is much difference in the current user base of the Mac and Linux. I base this statement on the Google search engine's Zeitgeist figures, which shows the Mac with a 3% share, Linux with a 1% share.

Second, the Mac has been a popular platform since the mid 1980s. Linux has not been around as long, and has not become a popular platform until recently
(last five years or so.)

Third, Mac OS X is very similar to Linux in its security and permissions model. And none of the Mac viruses mentioned in the article affect OS X. To date, there are no viruses that affect Mac OS X.

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Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/188/22908#22908