Views from the Ivory Tower - June 2007
On Scaring Mac Users, Greening Apple and Forensics
By Ted Bade
Another attempt to scare Mac OS users - Yes folks, once again those good people who own and operate security sites and anti-malicious software companies have offered money to anyone who could figure a way to hack a Macintosh. There was even a winner who claimed the $10,000 prize. The contest took place at the CanSecWest security conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Okay, sure, maybe these security companies are actually concerned that Mac OS X users will become complacent and not do anything to ensure the security of their Macs, then one day, will be hit with a virus and lose or have important data compromised. But I really doubt it. It seems to me that perhaps the people in the market to offer protection are trying to scare Mac users into buying their wares. If you would like to read an article on this scare-test – http://www.electronista.com > Search for “hacked in contest”.
I have said this many times before, our beloved MacOS X is not perfect nor is it totally secure. However it is pretty secure and close to perfect:-). Due to the inherent security of MacOS X headlines like: “a few Macintosh users were affected by a new computer virus...” Just don’t get hackers their jollies. By this I don’t mean there are only a few Mac Users, but that because of the security of the system and the way we use our machines, only a few would be in a position to actually be affected by said malicious software. Of course the media would blow an event like this out or proportion by saying: “New Macintosh Virus hits the Internet!”
Should we be concerned about malicious software? Yes. While I wouldn’t recommend spending a ton of money, (like my Window’s friends do annually), I will say that Mac users should keep an ear out for information concerning malicious software and install all the security updates Apple provides. With all the press Macs are getting concerning this, you will be hard pressed to miss an announcement of a real piece of malicious code. Heck, if you read this tirade monthly I will be sure to post anything I think is real.…
Now I wonder, can I convince these security companies to give me $10,000 to regularly point out the importance of using their software? What a notion.
Apple moving up in the world - Last month Apple’s percent of the laptop market share rose to 9.9% and desktop sales rose to 7.7%, according to an article posted on the Mac News Network site.
According to the article, this information was published by Bloomberg. You can view the Bloomberg tables.
If you look over the tables, you will also notice that Apple had 68.9% of the MP3 player sales in that same period.
I post this information because I believe it indicates a trend. People are moving to the MacOS. This is good for Apple and for their dedicated customers. Growth in Apple sales means that people are finding Macintosh computers a viable alternative to the slew of Window’s based machines. As more people move to the Mac platform, so will software and hardware vendors, which is a good thing for all Mac users.
Let’s hope this trend continues.
Another amazing iPod appliance - You probably heard of the George Forman Grill. But did you know that you can buy the George Forman iGrill? This grill includes an amplifier and speakers so you can play your tunes as you cook! If it’s too much to believe, check out the ad.
As I look at this culinary wonder, I ask myself, what band will release the album, iTunes to cook by?
Perhaps a greener Apple? - One of the more interesting news items I have been following has been GreenPeace’s attack on Apple. They have publicly criticized Apple for it’s lack of concern for the environment and the use of many toxic chemicals. They even hosted a protest at a MacWorld Expo in London, which they were apparently “kicked out” of.
While I don’t doubt that Apple is not as environmentally conscious as Greenpeace would like and perhaps no where near as much as they could be, it seems to me that this protest rides the coattails of all the publicity Apple has been getting recently. Which is a sensible thing for Greepeace as well as for the environment in general. By doing this, they get a lot more notice in the press then they would if they had chosen another computer company! Don’t take me wrong, I have strong beliefs about taking care of the environment. I would be really happy to hear that Apple did all the right things for the environment, even if it meant paying a bit more for my next Mac!
Apparently Greenpeace’s efforts had an effect in Apple-land. Steve Jobs posted a message that explains what Apple is doing to help reduce the use of toxic chemicals in the production of their computers - http://www.apple.com/hotnews/agreenerapple/
Read it over, not only does he explain what Apple is and has been doing and plans to do, but he relates it to the competition. His reply and the changes made at Apple following this were applauded by Greenpeace. They posted an article called: “Tasty news from Apple!”
They also posted a response to Steve’s letter.
As a final word, I hope that Apple makes great strides in this arena and that this forces other companies to follow in their footsteps! It wouldn’t be the first time other computer companies followed Apple’s lead, and it probably won’t be the last!
If you read through Steve’s article, you will discover that MacBooks will begin to use LED backlights in 2007. This technology not only reduces the toxic chemicals in a laptop computer, but also reduces the amount of power needed to backlight the LCD screen. This makes it environmentally friendly in two ways, less toxic chemicals and less power consumption! Not to mention less power cost to operate and longer battery life, both things the user will like!
Mac’s no longer safe from Prying official eyes - Many people might not know this interesting fact, Macs are a lot harder for law enforcement agencies to get into then Windows machines. For a long time MacOS X has made use of password protection and encryption to hide information. Law enforcement agencies might hire a computer guru to help when computer’s are involved with a crime, but the majority of these people have experience only with Windows and are often baffled when a Macintosh was involved.
Now a company has developed a piece of software that can be used to break into a password protected Macintosh. The product is called MacLockPick and is supposed to be available only to Law Enforcement Agencies. Check out the developer’s site.
Macworld wrote a nice article about this product.
This will give you their take on it.
I am not necessarily opposed to Law enforcement people having tools to get evidence from computers to help solve a crime. What bother’s me is that it won’t be long before someone makes this software freely available over the Internet. Then anyone who has the desire could use it to break into anyone’s Macintosh or into a .Mac account. That is not a good thing. But there is nothing we can do about it now. But at least we are informed and can take a little more care with our Macs!
The Apple Developer's conference takes place later in June. I am hoping there will be some very interesting announcements made at this event. Who knows what product is ahead of schedule or what new item Mr. Jobs will decide to announce? I will be sure to comment on all the interesting stuff in the July edition. Until then, keep enjoying your Macintosh.
