Myth: Mac users are immune to virus infections.
Fact: No, although there is a lot less floating around there still out there for macs (and that goes for linux users to!).
Although Apple keep says safe and free from malware infections they couldn’t be more wrong. The reason mac users currently have a low risk is because they only have <12% of the market share. It’s much more cost-effective to go after the bigger share (windows).
This couldn’t be made more true than Mac OS X 10.6 coming with malware protection (you read right). 10.6 snow leopard comes with few malware identification to block the obvious malware (like the free i-Life bot-net). It’s updated via software update.
Apple at one time even post a document saying macs are not free from infection but has since pulled it.
So here is my advice. Avoid the bad and obvious ways to get infected (search for tips to prevent from being infection on this site), and you’ll be fine.
In either event: At the current time, Mac’s have been exposed to 3 Malware / Viruses in it’s history that even stood being called a remote threat. Even with a smaller market segment, this is incredible. Especially considering over 80 percent of college students use Macs, and that is where a majority of Malware and Viruses come from according to Norton.
I’m willing to bet that (just like with PC’s), smart usage will keep you malware and virus free for many years to come. Not even a tank is invincible.
Yes Smart User > OS/Antivirus