Apple security '10 years behind Microsoft,' says Kaspersky boss

Apple 'ten years behind Microsoft,' says Kapersky boss
Mac users face a future of security fears says Mr Kapersky

Mac OS X users will come under increasing threats from malicious software, as Apple's market share continues to rise, according to a leading security firm.

Following the recent Flashback scare, which infested over 600,000 Macs, Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, says cyber criminals will continue to target Mac users.

Furthermore, Kaspersky reckons that Mac OS X, for so long considered virus-proof, is actually more susceptible to infection than Windows.

'No difference between Mac and Windows'

He says because Microsoft has built up years of experience in tackling viruses, Trojans and other malware through software patches, it has a distinct advantage.

He said: "I think they (Apple) are ten years behind Microsoft in terms of security. For many years I've been saying that from a security point of view there is no big difference between Mac and Windows.

"(It's) just a question of time and market share. Cyber criminals have now recognised that Mac is an interesting area.

"Now we have more, it's not just Flashback or Flashfake. Welcome to Microsoft's world, Mac. It's full of malware.

"Apple is now entering the same world as Microsoft has been in for more than 10 years: updates, security patches and so on. We now expect to see more and more because cyber criminals learn from success and this was the first successful one."

Apple recently used a Java software update to rid infected Macs of Flashback, but the company attracted criticism over how long it took to acknowledge the problem.

Via: Computer World

Chris Smith

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.