Is it true that there are no viruses for Mac OS?

It is widespread that the architecture of the operating system from Apple is arranged in such a way that it is impossible to create for it and it is impossible to introduce harmful software, so Mac OS users do not need special antiviral programs. We decided to check whether such confidence is justified.

The idea that there are no viruses under the Mac OS is quite common. Such statement can be found on various forumswhere they discuss the advantages of a particular operating system, sites questions and answers and in reviews technology. Questions about whether antivirus is needed under Mac OS is regularly asked by network users, including such large resources about technologies as "Durov code", Kaspersky, Techinsider And "Habr". Around this belief, even a network folklore: “Are there any viruses for Mac? There are, but they are paid. ”

Malicious software (software) called All programs created for any unauthorized and usually harmful effect on a computer, smartphone or other device. In fact, malicious software includes not only viruses, but also all kinds of spiena programs, password strokes (for example, Keilgers), Troyans (Unlike the virus, they cannot independently copy and infect files, for this you need to download a special program or use the system vulnerability), cupboard programs and advertising programs. Formally virus counts Only such a program that can distribute its copies in order to infect and damage data on the device. Viruses enter a computer from other already infected devices, through various information carriers (flash drives, CD, DVD, etc.) or via the Internet.

In 2021, the damage from cybercressions in Russia exceeded 150 billion rubles, and in 2022, the figure, according to experts, may be even more - more than 165 billion rubles. According to data research Megafon “Cybersecurity Index”, nine out of ten Russian companies were attacked by cybercriminals in 2021. The most common way Theft of electronic money is the introduction of viruses and the conduct of phishing attacks. One of the largest cyber attacks in the world is the infection of more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries Wannacry Minh-Monk. Global financial damage from this program Assessed At $ 4 billion.

To make sure that viruses are a real threat for computers with the Mac operating system, just go to the official website Apple company and study the section devoted to protection from malicious software. Company Offers Built -in safety solutions (the function of turning off the execution (XD), Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and protect the integrity of the system (SIP)), and also allows you to use third -party applications. The largest developers of antivirus programs offer solutions for Mac OS. Antiviruses for this operating system have Avast, Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton, Avira and other companies. Moreover, these programs allow you to protect the device not only from viruses, but also of other malicious software. Organization AV Test, which evaluates antivirus software, Curses Such statistics on the development of malware under the Mac OS.

And although the data is displayed in it only since 2013, the first viruses for Mac OS appeared much earlier. In 1982 there were Created Two programs that are most consistent with what is now understood by computer viruses - Virus 1.2.3 and Elk Cloner, affecting computers with the Apple II operating system, the precursor of the current Mac OS. It is noteworthy that Elk Cloner created a 15-year-old schoolboy Richard Skrent. The virus every 50 loading the operating system displayed the poem on the user's screen.

Viruses for computers with IBM PC (predecessor Windows) appeared Later, in the mid-1980s.

The most serious threat to Mac OS devices over the past ten years have been the following programs:

- Koranger - first A full-fledged code, was introduced into the TRANSMISSISON torrent client code;

- Eleanor -through the converter application, the virus is installed on the computer and gives the attacker remote access to the infected Mac;

- Keydnap -Data kidnapper from the “Key Link” (applications, with which the user’s personal data are preserved in one place in a protected form), was distributed using a ZIP archive with a Screenshot.jpg file (with a gap after extension).

- Komplex -a program downloading another malicious software was distributed by e-mail invested with a PDF file;

- Coin Thief -After downloading the hacked version of the game Angry Birds, the program gained access to the user's Bitcoin wallet data;

- Mac.Backdoor.Siggen.20 - distributed under the guise of WhatsApp apps for computers and gave the attacker the remote access to the victim’s computer, and the device itself became part Botneta;

- OSX.LOUDMINER - The cryptocurrency miner was built into various pirate versions of programs for audio and visual editing.

Presumably, the myth of the invulnerability of Mac OS could appear due to the fact that the number of devices with this operating system has always been significantly belowthan the number of devices for Windows. In 1984, for each Mac OS sold device, six computers with MS-DOS (Windows predecessor), the maximum breakdown of the technology reached in 2004, when 182.5 million Windows devices against 3.25 million MAC-computers were sold (that is, a ratio of 56 to 1). When Apple introduced tablets and smartphones integrated with computers into a single infrastructure, the gap of desktop devices was slightly reduced. Now In the world, 76% of Windows computers and 14% for Mac OS (the remaining interest are on Linux, Chrome OS and other unexpressed systems). It is logical that the more devices under one system, the more profitable it is for attackers to create malicious in precisely for it.

Moreover, going to the Internet, it is worth remembering that the virus entering the system is far from the only threat. Significant place in the world of malicious occupy The so -called browser viruses. It doesn’t matter to them absolutely what operating system is the user, as they are installed and functioning inside the browser. Such software can steal user data, spy on him, show obsessive advertising or install its extensions in the browser. 

Thus, the idea that Mac OS architecture simply does not provide for the opportunity to create viruses under it is nothing more than a delusion. Malicious software can be created for any operating system. Therefore, do not neglect the tools of protecting the device only on the basis that the computer works on Mac OS. It is also better to remember that, in the absence of antivirus, the user risks becoming if not a victim, then a malicious vyperyman - for example, downloading an infected file that is not developed under his system, but after writing this file on a flash drive for another person, the system of which is vulnerable to this malicious software.

Image on the cover: Pixexid

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