Which is more secure, Windows PCs or Apple Macs?

This is a debate that has been going on for years and will no doubt continue for several more. The reason I bring it up is an article that was recently posted on Cnet News. It's a very good article that is well worth reading, but it doesn't really matter which operating system is the most secure because any system is only as secure as the weakest link. This is, of course, people. People use computers of all types and this makes them all equally insecure.

The problem is that it is very easy to create an email that pretends to come from someone else. For example, I could create an email that reads something like this: "Dear Apple Mac user, in our ongoing efforts to ensure that OS X is the most secure operating system available and that you continue to enjoy the high security and safety of the Apple Mac, we ask that you run the attached file. This will update your security settings. Please note that you will need to enter your password when installing the update. This is so that important system components can be updated. Yours sincerely, Apple Technical Support." The attached file would be a malicious program that emailed a copy of itself to all your Address Book contacts before formatting the hard disk drive.

Of course, some people would see through the scam straight away, but it is part of human nature to do as we are told, especially by someone in authority or who is more expert than ourselves. Consequently, a certain proportion of people receiving such an email would save the attached file and run it. And when it asked for the administrator password, as Mac apps do when they try to modify any system setting or component, people will do it. This is perfectly normal when installing applications or software updates on the Mac.

The operating system - Windows, OS X, Linux - can't tell a legitimate program from a malicious one and anti malware software can only recognise programs that are in their database. If it's not recognised by anti malware software, or if the user doesn't have any, then the program will be allowed to run.

The reason I used an Apple Mac example above is just to show how ordinary people can be duped into running malware. This sort of email is very common in the Windows world and it's used by Apple and Mac fans to highlight how insecure Windows PCs are and to ridicule them. However, an email targeting Mac users, or Linux users for that matter, like the one above would be just as effective. So which is more secure, Windows PCs or Apple Mac? It really boils down to how gullible the user is.

Malware doesn't just arrive by email, although that's the place I see it the most. You can get infected by malware just by visiting a website, but web browsers are getting better at warning you of suspicious websites and dodgy downloads. Just type in the address or click a link and they'll display a warning before you even go there.

Remember, you are the weakest link when it comes to security.

The single biggest advantage of using an Apple Mac is that very little malware has been written for it. It's not that it's hard, it isn't, it's just that Windows is a much bigger target. I have no anti virus software, no anti spyware software and no other security software apart from a firewall on my Mac. I've been using it for years and have never been infected with any malicious software or adware.

I have to say though, that I've been using Windows PCs for years too, and have never been infected with malware. Windows security software - there's a lot to choose from - easily deals with most threats. However, I often use Windows PCs without any security software at all and still haven't been infected. But then I'm not easily conned into installing dodgy software. Being sensible and suspicious of offers that sound too good to be true and claims in dodgy pop-up adverts and attachments to emails will go a long way in protecting you on the internet. Windows is nowhere near the virus and bug ridden operating system that some people claim. You just need to apply some common sense.

Trust no-one, suspect everyone. Then you won't get caught whether you use Windows, OS X or Linux.