Mac bigots love to kid Windows users about all our viruses, rebuilds and exploits. And they're right. The question is: Why is Windows so vulnerable? Mac-philes would like to believe their platform is intrinsically safer. The other theory is that hackers attack those systems with the most market share. And perhaps the theory most on target: Hackers just love to mess with Microsoft.
IT security firm Sophos this week let the cat out of the bag, spilled the beans, and otherwise debunked the widely treasured myth that Macs are invulnerable to malware in its Sophos Security Threat Report 2008 (registration required); released Tuesday. The report said that, among other things, "in 2007 [organized] criminal gangs for the first time arrived at Apple's doorstep with the intention of stealing money." Proof, the firm said, that "hackers are extending their efforts beyond Windows."