Worms In The Apple

AppleInsider, a website dedicated to all things Apple, is one that I rarely visit.  However, a recent article posted there managed to get me interested.  Of course that can only mean negative news for Apple.

The article makes mention of an addition made to Apple’s knowledge base in these past two weeks, citing that it’s a good idea to have at least 2 different types of anti-virus software running on your Mac.  This is significant, because up until this point, Apple has always touted that their computers don’t need anti-virus software because they’re so darn impervious to attacks.  And for as long as that argument has been made, there has been the counterpoint from PC enthusiasts that Apples aren’t susceptible to attacks because no one wants to hack an Apple.  They’re of no interest to hackers because they lack value.  I mean, can’t you just picture one hacker talking to another?  “Hey dude, I hacked into a Mac yesterday!  It was awesome, I gained access to some college kid’s photo album and collection of emo music!”

So what does it mean now that Apple is (quietly) suggesting to its users to have anti-virus software?  Are Macs coming under attack?  Mmm no, not really.  They’re still the tools of softened creative types, while PCs continue to diligently run the world.  No, all this change in Apple literature is telling us is that maybe the folks at Apple realize it’s probably in their best interest to cover their asses.  Even if it’s done by sneaking it into the fine print.

[AppleInsider] via [Digg]