There is a common belief that Apple computers are insulated from attacks from malware and other tools of cyber criminals. Years ago this belief was true and Apple even helped nurture this belief by running commercials about the safety of the Apple Mac. Recently however Apple has found themselves to be one of the number one targets of many malware creators and especially phishers.
Why Were Macs Safe?
For many years Macs were known to be the safest computers to use but many of us don’t really understand why. Macs have always been in the minority, only owning a small fraction of the computer market when compared to PC's running Windows. Many phishing criminals and malware and virus creators simply ignored the small market as they wanted to steal as much data or do as much damage as possible. Because of this they concentrated their nefarious activities on the larger PC market.
In addition to the smaller market share, Macs run their very own operating system, Mac OS X. This operating system is built on the UNIX-like operating system BSD. Because of this, by its very nature Mac was far more secure to begin with than its Windows counterpart.
Even though Macs have a history of being safer, some cyber criminals have still targeted the platform. Apple has kept a careful watch on any security vulnerabilities and has always been quick to patch any security holes that are found. This makes it difficult for criminals to stay ahead of them when attacking the system.
What Has Changed?
While Macs and other iDevices are still some of the most secure devices you can buy, they are facing increased attacks from both malware creators and phishing scams mainly due to their increased popularity. With more and more people migrating to the Apple platforms, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting the Apple platform.
Types of Attacks
If you moved to the Apple platform to get away from viruses and phishing scams, you might be disappointed to learn that more and more scammers are targeting you and trying to steal your data simply because you are a Mac user. Unfortunately this is the case and the main target is your Apple ID. This ID ties all of your devices together with one password and, if stolen, can be used to steal your personal information and even your credit card numbers.
1. Malware and Viruses
The most common type of attacks PC users are accustomed to, malware and viruses, execute malicious code on your system and are designed to interrupt your system’s stability or even to steal your personal files and information right from your computer.
2. Phishing Scams
Phishing scams differ greatly as they have always been cross platform. Criminals send emails in an attempt to trick you into divulging your personal information. They then use this information to steal your identity or, if possible, steal money and make purchases using your credit card. Phishing scams are currently on the rise and criminals currently find Apple to be one of the best platforms for these types of attacks.
What You Can Do
With all these attacks on the rise you might be wondering what you should do to keep your personal information safe from theft.
1. Install Antivirus Software
There are many great antivirus products available for the Mac and many of them are free for personal use. Install one and let it do its job.
2. Keep Mac OS X Updated
Apple continually releases updates for Mac OS X designed to improve the operating system as well as maintain its security. If you are prompted to run an Apple update, run the update as soon as possible.
3. Beware of Phishing Scams
Phishers love the Apple platform right now and are trying hard to crack its security and get their hands on your Apple ID and password. If you receive an email from Apple, check the address the email came from and if it contains any links, check what the link reads before you enter any information. If you notice in the address of the site you are taken to doesn't contain apple.com in it, close it immediately and consider contacting Apple to let them know.
While the PC still reigns atop the malware mountain, in recent years Apple's Macs and other devices have increasingly become the target of scammers and virus makers. As our favorite fruit company continues to gain more and more traction and is scooping up more of the market, we can expect to see even more attacks and phishing scams aimed at cracking the App Store and iTunes Store platforms. As a user, it is important to remain vigilant by installing quality antivirus software on your Mac and to question any email you receive requesting your information. Apple will never request your password from you so do not, under any circumstances, divulge your password to anyone or you could find you are the next victim of a phishing scam.
