Just got an iMac

wintermute

wintermute

Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
3,018
So my wife and I made a deal to spend no more than $50 on each other for Christmas, then she surprises me with an iMac. As a dedicated PC user and security knut (just recently eased off a bit from Agnitum to ZoneAlarm so the rest of the family could actually use the computer), I've so far found the MAC to be much simpler to use. Too simple. I keep trying to find things to set up when there really isn't anything there.

Now, this thing's running Snow Leopard. What do I need to do to secure the computer other than setting up my wireless security (check), software firewall behind my router firewall (check), using non-admin accounts (check), disabling autofill (check)? I'm an idiot and still do on-line banking. I will probably continue to do so on my PC since I feel safer on it, but would like to one day feel safe enough to do it on the Mac.

But right now, this is a great toy. It's ridiculously simple. I'm tired of building up PCs from scratch, tired of millions of cables and ugly towers, tired of running all sorts of security programs.
 
I think you've actually done all that needs doing. I've been running Mac's behind firewalls since around 1990, and never had a problem. Well, that's not quite accurate. Way back in about 1999, when Mac's ran under system 8.6, there was trojan horse that came in on a client's disk (AFAIK, the only one that actually made it into the wild) and infected my network. Got a security program, ran it, and I've never had a problem since.

In other words, Mac's are pretty secure... so far. That doesn't mean they always will be, so it doesn't hurt to take precautions.

Enjoy!
 
On your security regard.

I was watching some thing on television about the new operating systems and they were talking about what one could be hacked the easiest. They had some pro hacker and he hacked into Vista, Leopard, and some Linux.

It took him about 12 minutes to hack Vista
Took 9 to do Linux
and about 4 and a half to bust into Leopard.

I don't know if Snow Leopard is more secure but if you are paranoid like some people I know i'd look into some good anti-spyware software.
 
if your a serious FPS gamer, they suck. Also there are few CAD programs around that like mac. You can run a new imac that has the intel chip as a windows box.

I have had one since 96 and love them too.
 
BenLankford said:
On your security regard.

I was watching some thing on television about the new operating systems and they were talking about what one could be hacked the easiest. They had some pro hacker and he hacked into Vista, Leopard, and some Linux.

It took him about 12 minutes to hack Vista
Took 9 to do Linux
and about 4 and a half to bust into Leopard.

I don't know if Snow Leopard is more secure but if you are paranoid like some people I know i'd look into some good anti-spyware software.
Click to expand...

He had to have PHYSICAL access to the computer in order to hack it.
 
He did, it was on some tech show that was having like a whole episode about the operating systems. Note this was a couple of years ago.
 
No FPS gaming. If there's CAD to be done, I do it at work. If I'm doing technical drawing at home (for fun) I bust out the drawing table, T-square and pencils. I've always wanted to try a Mac for the simplicity. I have no plans to run Windows on it. The whole idea was to get away from Windows. It will be used for I-Tunes, internet, word processsing, spreadsheets and other non-resource hungry activities.

I'm not as concerned about viruses as I am nastier malware such as trojans and rootkits. As I understand it, everyone's locked out of the root on a Mac. If that's the case, that's pretty awesome. Doesn't help with the trojans and keyloggers, but it's a start.
 
Snow Leopard fixed the security issues. (WARNING NERD CONTENT AHEAD)

Charlie Miller was the hacker and it was at the Pwn2Own contest where Miller won $10,000 to hack a Mac. The contest officials had to change the rules as no could hack the Mac (or any other OS, vista, Linux) on the first day. Google it as it is an interesting read.

P.S. Welcome to the Mac side!!!!!
 
Being more paranoid than most I run Norton Antivirus for MAC on my iMac 20.
 
I just got an iMac for Christmas. How did you accomplish this?:

software firewall behind my router firewall (check)


Thanks.
 
I have a wireless router hooked up to my cable modem. My computers are then hooked up to the router. This accomplishes two things: multiple computers on one internet connection, and protects the computers behind the router's hardware firewall. Regarding the software firewall, I don't have it in front of me (I'm at work right now), but if you go into the systems or settings menu and go through the security features, make sure that the software firewall built into OS X is turned on, and, unless you are doing some sort of file or hardware sharing, make sure you click the option to not allow outside connections. Also click on stealth mode (some websites may not allow you to access them in stealth mode, so you will have to shut it off for these sites). Also, under the security settings, make sure you shut off Autofill. I don't find it useful and it's just another way for someone to compromise your computer. Also, typically I will browse the internet in Safari in "personal browsing" mode -that way no temporary internet files, cookies, etc. are saved to your machine.
 
Thanks Wintermute. I appreciate the help. I run our home computers from behind a wireless router too. I do those things you mentioned on my PCs, but didn't know about configuring our new Mac. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll take care of that today.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top