[jaykay]

I have been a confirmed Apple fan for many years, and I was very pleased to know that Apps are now available for iMac. But I am also a confirmed believer in protecting personal privacy - especially with regard to computing/internet. A very recent article in the Sunday Times (UK) reported that many Apps contained tracker/key logger/spyware. I posted a question on Apple > Support > Discussions asking if anyone knew which Apps were "safe". Apple removed the post saying that it contained rumour & speculation. Apple, of course, are entitled to defend their products and their reputation but, tellingly, they didn't deny it. The same article also said that a lawsuit regarding this had recently been launched against Apple in California. So I come back to my original question. Is it true and if so, is there any way of knowing which Apps will not invade personal privacy?

[macnuke]

about the only thing out there right now are tracking cookies.

basically harmless. if you are worried, set your prefs to dump em or block em.

other than that, YOU are the weakest link.

I still run zero Antivirus or anything of that type.

Mac OS is plenty good enough to stop the stupidity outside.

it's only the one at the keyboard you need worry about.

and if you just want to spend a few days keeping busy... google up the total number of lawsuits apple is involved in at any given time.

successful companies seem to draw the suits.

and just outa curiosity... what do you consider personal privacy?
i consider anyone out past their personal firewall to be in a public domain.
my reasoning is that if you hit a site, they know what kinda computer you have, what browser, your IP, and time and date.
along with whatever else they can get.

so bucky.. just how paranoid are you ?

[bastion]

jaykay, on 08 January 2011 - 07:28 AM, said:

A very recent article in the Sunday Times (UK) reported that many Apps contained tracker/key logger/spyware.

I would call the Sunday Times (UK) wrong, then, and say the burden of proof is on them to provide evidence that the number of apps that do such things is not vanishingly small. Without that it's not journalism, it's just rumor-mongering.

[chas_m]

In a nutshell, whatever you read -- is completely full of, um, stuff.

The iPhone and the Mac are the ONLY internet-connected devices that don't have viruses. If the kind of security hole you're talking about existed, this simply could not be true.

Ergo, the Sunday Times (or whoever, you probably just misinterpreted what they reported) is wrong.

[avatar139]

chas_m, on 16 January 2011 - 09:01 AM, said:

Ergo, the Sunday Times (or whoever, you probably just misinterpreted what they reported) is wrong.

Or, more likely, the Sunday Times is telling alarmist lies to sell more newspapers. Shocking, right?

[jaykay]

Thanks for all responses. Taken me a while to get back to you - been on a vacation.

Macnuke, I can only respond that anyone who isn't concerned about personal security and privacy on the internet shouldn't be allowed on the internet. They are the irresponsible users who cause most of the problems for the rest of us.

Chas-m, no virus problems ever with Mac virus? Wow, your faith is magnificent if nothing else. I and thousands (tens?) will continue with our anti-virus protection thank you very much.

Regards to all.

[Chris Breen]

jaykay, on 05 February 2011 - 06:54 AM, said:

Thanks for all responses. Taken me a while to get back to you - been on a vacation.

Macnuke, I can only respond that anyone who isn't concerned about personal security and privacy on the internet shouldn't be allowed on the internet. They are the irresponsible users who cause most of the problems for the rest of us.

Chas-m, no virus problems ever with Mac virus? Wow, your faith is magnificent if nothing else. I and thousands (tens?) will continue with our anti-virus protection thank you very much.

Regards to all.

No reason to be rude. The people who have responded to you are providing an accurate picture of spyware/viruses on the Mac. (Far more accurate than the Times.). And if you question their views, take the time to do some research on your own rather than dismissing the opinions of more experienced users based on a single article in a non-tech publication.

[jaykay]

Chris
Of course I accept comments from a moderater, but in view of the criticism of your comment I would ask for a right of reply. Macnuke questions and implies that I am being paranoid. That, in your opinion, is obviously not being rude. I disagree. You say that I should bow to more experienced users. I have been using computers for a long number of years, going back to a very early device here in the UK viz Sinclair ZX80 - launched in 1980. Prior to buying a Mac 4 years ago, I ran with a PC from MS DOS through to XP Pro. This experience underlies my belief that anyone who thinks that personal security on the internet is not worth bothering about is simply not in the real world. However, if your organisation seriously believes differently, then I will cease my postings.

[Chris Breen]

jaykay, on 05 February 2011 - 09:59 AM, said:

Chris
Of course I accept comments from a moderater, but in view of the criticism of your comment I would ask for a right of reply. Macnuke questions and implies that I am being paranoid. That, in your opinion, is obviously not being rude. I disagree. You say that I should bow to more experienced users. I have been using computers for a long number of years, going back to a very early device here in the UK viz Sinclair ZX80 - launched in 1980. Prior to buying a Mac 4 years ago, I ran with a PC from MS DOS through to XP Pro. This experience underlies my belief that anyone who thinks that personal security on the internet is not worth bothering about is simply not in the real world. However, if your organisation seriously believes differently, then I will cease my postings.

Heavens.

And yet, despite all your experience with ancient hardware, you don't seem to be willing to do the necessary research to understand exactly how vulnerable you are to Internet threats. When someone suggests that you are being overly suspicious (as the phrase "tellingly they didn't deny it" hints) you suggest that it's they who are not living in the real world.

While I might not have phrased it as Macnuke did, he and the others who have replied to your post are giving you an accurate reflection of the Mac OS in regard to spyware and viruses. You can disregard this information and continue to run any utilities you like if it makes you feel better. But I wouldn't suggest that they are being cavalier when, in fact, you may be over reacting.

[jaykay]

Chris

This is my last word on this subject. On a personal level, I don't need to do any research on internet security: it's all been done by other people and organisations. There is an absolute mountain of factual evidence documenting internet threats. Organisations from banks to military to governments spend millions on security. I'm with them!

Over and out.

[Chris Breen]

jaykay, on 05 February 2011 - 10:44 AM, said:

On a personal level, I don't need to do any research on internet security: it's all been done by other people and organisations.

Exactly. And if you bothered to look at their work specifically in regard to viruses and spyware on the Mac you'd learn that you are not under threat. Still, it's tough to shake these preconceived notions. Again, if you're happier running anti-virus software, by all means do so.

[macnuke]

@ Chris..

It's ok... the security companies will make their money from this one.
and he will be googling how to get rid of the AVware that is bloating and slowing his computer soon.
I'll save the links to make it easier to post to him in a couple weeks or so when he asks

[jaykay]

Just wonder if this announcement causes new thinking on previous discussions/postings

"Apple drops virus immunity claim for Macs
"Apple has dropped claims on its website that Mac computers do not get viruses, after hundreds of thousands of machines were hijacked by a Trojan."

[macnuke]

"Spread by malicious websites, it masqueraded as an update to Adobe Flash and used a vulnerability in Java, a programming language widely used online,....."

that quote is from the article you quoted.
so without hype I will interpret that factually..

as it was something the user had to install... you can see the differences in the real vs the bogus installers so pay attention to what you are installing.
so basically, it was self inflicted.
problem solved.

I still believe in zero AVware.
I still believe if you just clickety click click mindlessly and "looks legit" is ok to install....
it's not Mac OS's fault.
regardless whether you run AV or not, "you" the user, is always the weakest link.
even if Apple warns you, you can still install it.