A big increase in the number of flaws being discovered
in the Mac OS X suggests that the operating system may be as prone
to malicious attacks as Windows-based systems, says the SANS
Institute.
A report from the leading security research organisation said
that the number of flaws being discovered in the Mac OS had left
its reputation as a more secure alternative to Windows “in
tatters”.
The claim was made as part of the institute's latest update of
its top 20 list of internet vulnerabilities.
Up to now, the Mac OS has been deemed safer than Windows because
its relatively small installed base was seen as a less attractive
target for malicious hackers.
Around a third of the vulnerabilities found in the Mac OS so far
this year have been deemed critical.
SANS said Apple’s increasing market share, and the firm’s recent
decision to build its systems around Intel’s chips, have encouraged
hackers to pay more attention to its system.
