Being in the computer business, we get to meet and talk with a lot of people and see quite a few computers each week.  While we primarily work with PCs, we do get Macs in.

Periodically when people come in to our Clifton Park office, they mention that some person or another suggest they get a Mac.  When asked why, they say that so-and-so told them how Macs don’t get viruses and how easy they are to use.

First for the ease of use issue; while I don’t drink the Microsoft Kool-Aid, Windows 7 is a very easy system to use.  I know many seniors who have been using Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional versions and they seem to have absolutely no problems with it.

As for the “fact” that Mac’s are immune to malware, well if they believe that, then they must believe (like many politicians) that money grows on trees. Money doesn’t; and Mac’s are susceptible to malware problems.

Last month, users of Apple’s Mac OS were subjected to a malware attack similar to what PC users have experienced in the past.  While Apple was slow to respond with help, they finally did come up with a fix.  Within a very short time the malware writers were able to work around it.

The reason PCs seem to be in the news more when it comes to attack  and vulnerabilities is because there are simply more of them.  More PCs mean more people using them and a larger potential payoff.

Mac OS and Linux based computers have more vulnerabilities, but there aren’t enough users (at the moment) to make it worthwhile for hackers to spend much time on.

The fact of the matter is just being on the Internet makes one susceptible to attack.  It doesn’t matter what OS you are running or what anti-virus or firewall you have installed.  Just as a motivated burglar can break into any building given the proper motivation and resources; so can a hacker break into any system.

This article was written by The Boss of HITman Services, a computer and IT company, based in Clifton Park and serving the Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties of New York.