Mac OS X security under scrutiny

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>
> Date: November 29, 2005 7:04:18 PM PST
> Subject: Mac OS X security under scrutiny
>
>
> Mac OS X security under scrutiny
> Robert Lemos, SecurityFocus 2005-11-29
>
> When the SANS Institute, a computer-security training organization,
> released its Top-20 vulnerabilities last week, the rankings continued
> an annual ritual aimed at highlighting the worst flaws for network
> administrators. This year, the list had something different, however:
> The group flagged the collective vulnerabilities in Apple Computer's
> Mac OS X operating system as a major threat.
>
> It's the first time that the SANS Institute called out an entire
> operating system for its vulnerabilities. While the move has raised
> questions about the value of such a general warning, highlighting
> recent vulnerabilities in Mac OS X was intended as a wake up call,
> said Rohit Dhamankar, security architect for TippingPoint, a
> subsidiary of networking firm 3Com, and the editor for the SANS
> Top-20 vulnerability list.
>
> "We are not pointing at the entire Mac OS X and saying you have to
> worry about the entire operating system," he said. "It is just that
> the Mac OS X is not entirely free of troubles."
>
> The naming of Apple's Mac OS X to the list is the latest warning from
> security experts to users that Apple's operating system is not immune
> to threats. In its last two bi-annual reports, security firm Symantec
> has warned Apple users that the perceived security strengths of Mac
> OS X will not withstand determined attackers, especially with
> mounting vulnerabilities and at least one known rootkit tailored to
> the system. (Symantec is the owner of SecurityFocus.)
>
> Such warnings, however, have to contend with the Mac OS X's
> impressive lack of major security incidents. While users of Microsoft
> Windows have to worry about the latest viruses, Trojan horse
> programs, spyware and phishing attacks, users of Apple's systems have
> significantly fewer threats about which to be concerned.
>
> ....
>
> <http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11359>

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