Mountain Lion to Include Major Security Enhancements
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5. Mountain Lion will apparently make things better
Its important note that Apple plans to make security a key component in Mac OS X Mountain Lion later this year. That operating system will come with something called Gatekeeper that Apple says will make the software the most secure version yet. But perhaps a better question might be: What is Apple waiting for?
6. User expectations are a problem
In the Mac OS X ecosystem, an adjustment of user expectations will need to commence at some point in the coming years. When people buy a Mac, they assume that they can do anything they want without any fear of virus infections or spyware. But theyre wrong. Its about time Apple and every other prominent player in the Mac OS X ecosystem do their best to get Mac users to understand the danger.
7. Is Apple dragging its feet?
Perhaps the most worrisome issue about the Flashback Trojan is that it took Apple a whopping three months to fully patch it. Whats worse, the patch didnt come down until people started complaining. Sure, it might have been a coincidence, but it might also have been a case of Apple dragging its feet. As Microsoft has learned, when it comes to security, foot-dragging is not an option.
8. More hackers are turning to the platform
There was a time when the vast majority of hackers around the world ignored Mac OS X. They figured there was no money to be made in that space, so they focused solely on Windows. That condition has changed. Mac OS X is now a hot destination for todays hackersand users should understand that.
9. Third-party apps are an issue
One of the biggest issues with Mac OS X security is that many of the security problems are caused by flaws in third-party applications. Applications like Flash, Adobes other products and now Java are causing serious problems in the security space. Mac users need to be prepared to deal with these problems.
10. The word never gets out
Lastly, and perhaps most troubling, is that it doesnt appear that news about new Mac OS X security flaws ever leaks out into the mainstream. Too often, news of security issues only gets as far as the technology and security communities, and reaches the average Mac user only very slowly if at all. Lets hope that changes, or well all be in trouble.
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