On Friday, people were informed that the oft-touted "virus-proof" Macintosh platform has finally met its match. The future of Apple computer security is being questioned now more than ever.
A worm called OSX/Leap-A, according to the antivirus software company Sophos, now attacks computers through instant messaging programs, such as iChat. The worm is also compatible with America Online and AIM as well - which means the virus can affect more people than if it could only spread through the iChat program. The worm sends a file called "latestpics.tgz" to the users on an infected computer's buddy list, and the file has to be downloaded and run by those users for the worm to affect their computers.
In the past, Apple users were happy about many aspects of their computers - one of which being that they were known as "virus-proof" because most virus attacks were directed toward Microsoft Windows-using computers in the past. Now, Apple users are scared because it seems the Mac Operating System X program might be vulnerable, as well. Some people are afraid the virus problem that plagues IBMs is the future for Apple computers.
In the circles that I run in, Apple computers are used almost exclusively. In fact, most of the computers I've used in the past 10 years were Apples. When I heard a worm had been created to attack the Mac OS X system, I was understandably alarmed. Virtually every computer I own and work on is an Apple, so I had a lot to lose - just as every other Apple user out there does.
I was scared, but only for a brief period of time.
Then I happened upon an article titled "The Apple Virus: Just a Media Stunt!" on a science and technology Web site called Playfuls.com. The article exposed the facts that most other media outlets either didn't have or disregarded.
The article explained the Apple virus was, in reality, a worm that was flawed and had not infected many computers worldwide. In fact, Playfuls.com reported the virus had affected fewer than 50 computers. I was relieved to find out I really didn't have anything to worry about.
Another interesting thing about the worm is that it actually has to be downloaded to be effective. Mac's OS X requires users to enter a password to download software of any kind. So, a box would have come up for anyone unfortunate enough to click on the link, a box that would require users to put in a password in order to download the file.
In reality, the only thing Apple computer users need to fear is bad reporting. There was a worm and a very slight chance the worm might infect your computer, but there really weren't enough facts out there to allow Apple users to realize they probably weren't in danger. The problem here lies not with Apple computers, but instead with news outlets that allow their reporters to print sensationalized news without finding out all of the facts.
Macintoshes will still be safer than most Windows-running computers when it comes to viruses, but some customers might be thrown off by the fact that Apples were reported to be vulnerable to attacks at all - even if the chance of infection is small. Because of the media's overreaction, Apple might have trouble selling computers in the future.
In the end, Apple users can rest easy because there really wasn't a threat in the first place. Yes, there should be some fear because it seems hackers are now going after Apple computers with malicious programs, but as of right now the likelihood of becoming a victim of the Apple worm is quite small. Apple computers are still much more protected against viruses than any other brand, and it seems they will be for a long time.
Apple users can rejoice - but don't trash your antivirus programs just yet.
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