Re: Macs never get viruses
 

A person's Internet connection is not a security measure though. Their knowledge and behaviour are - and they should be the first line of defence. It's when other security measures are relied upon more than caution and common sense that malware infections occur

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

I think Kymmy's point was that if you cut the Internet Connection for a person, you reduce that person's chances of getting a virus by 99.999%. And you do, as even the most technologically inexperienced person would still need to physically install something on the PC to get a virus. Cut their access to any optical drives, USB/Firewire ports and Floppy drives, and you eliminate their chances of getting a virus, unless someone gives them a listing and persuades them to type it in..

Actually, Kymmy's point reminds me a little of something I read years ago. Microsoft were proudly proclaiming that Windows NT had DoD rated security (can't remember the exact rating, but it sounded impressive). Someone from the DoD wrote in an article that NT would only achieve that level of security providing it was not connected to a network.

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

Xac, some of us have better things to do than to try to make their first post on any given subject a comprehensive 5,000-word essay. This is a discussion forum, not a public speaking contest. The clue is in the title.

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

even if you dont install something you can still get a virus, an example of this would be if you mate lends you a CDr that they burnt with MP3's on it thats infected & before anyone says you cant get a virus from an MP3 yes you can.

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

Sounds like you speak from experience...... ;) some mates.....

If an MP3 is infected then it would request a non-standard codec from the internet, not internet so no virus laden codec.. ;)


By the bye though as the disconnect from internet line is an old IT services joke that evolved from the ever famous "Do you still have the box for the computer, yes, then please put it back in the box and return it to the store you bought it from as you're too stupid to use it" which has been put down to many different companies and I first heard it whilst working for DEC in 1988

BTW, Mac's have got nothing on DEC's reputation for being virii free :D

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

I suspect if DECs had been widespread home machines, that would have been a different story.

Not that I am knocking DEC's security, but I also suspect there were people around at the time that could have performed some interesting tricks on it..

Re: Macs never get viruses
 

not at all mate i was just using it as an example.