While the small batch of Apple iPods infected with a Windows virus pose no threats to iMacs or the iPods themselves, the fact they were infected at all is a big worry. Now, the potential for virus and malware writers to start targeting Mac OS X in a bigger way cannot be ignored, and should be a massive wake-up call to Apple and its users: owning a Mac does not mean you’re invulnerable.

Have you seen those Mac and PC ads? The one where a smooth talking young fellow is representing a Mac, while an older, frumpier but well meaning guy represents PCs? Available for viewing at Apple’s web site, one of the many ads shows the PC fellow suffering from a cold.

While the Mac guy states something to the effect that ‘I can’t be affected by YOUR viruses and spyware’, and we’re left with the feeling that only PCs running Windows are vulnerable, the stark reality is that malware and viruses are being written specifically for the Mac OS X operating system today.

It’s only a matter of time before a big outbreak on Apple systems occurs, similar to the ‘Code Red’, ‘I love you’ virus, ‘Nimda’ and other attacks that swept the PC owning world over the past few years.

If and when that happens, we might just see Windows users saying to Apple and Mac owners something along the lines of ‘We aren’t affected by YOUR viruses and malware either’.

The problem is only going to get worse because, let’s face it, there’s never been a better time to buy a Mac.

It’s now fully Windows and PC compatible, right down to the main processor, the Intel Core Duo. Free software from Apple, called BootCamp, lets you boot into the Mac OS, or into Windows.

The Parallels Virtualisation software even lets you run almost any version of Windows and Mac OS at the same time, albeit with Windows in a very fast and very usable virtual session made even better by special virtualisation technology Intel built into its latest ‘Core’ range of processors. 

The longed for ‘halo effect’ of all those iPod sales seems to be coming true. Add to this the fact that Macs can run Windows too, and we’re seeing iMacs, MacBooks and Mac Pros are becoming more popular than ever. And with an influx of new users comes a stack of new people now using Mac OS X, whether in addition to Windows XP or not.

What’s scary about anecdotal evidence that I have gathered is that the majority of Mac users really do think they’re invulnerable to viruses, spyware and other attacks, so don’t even bother to find out what Internet Security options are available, and so don’t install anything. In one sense, they’re right – no Windows virus or spyware is going to infect a Mac.

But what happens when we start seeing virus writers and hackers upping the ante? Some of them are quite likely to be owning Apple computers – you can run Windows very happily on them after all, and why not use a computer that gives you the best of both worlds? And then why not write viruses and spyware to take advantage of all those ‘invulnerable’ Mac users?

Will the big security companies start taking Macs more seriously?

Will Apple have to start bundling in a time limited trial of an Internet security package, as happens with most PCs today?

Will Apple be creating their own version of an Internet security package, as Microsoft has done with its One Care software?

What will Apple do if and likely when a big virus outbreak occurs on the Mac, potentially resulting in problems for internet connected Macs around the world?

Of course I’m concerned about people losing their data, people losing access to their Mac while it is being repaired and the lack of a proper Internet security package on many Macs out there. I’m also concerned for myself, as I plan to become a Mac owner myself in the not-too-distant future.

Given that Microsoft now offers their own One Care anti-virus, firewall, spyware detector and backup service for Windows XP and Windows Vista PCs at an additional cost, it’s time that Apple did something similar, or give their full backing to a company, or select group of companies, for rock-solid and reliable protection.

Perhaps the .Mac system which gives access to a .Mac email address, backup services, and more is the platform for Apple to do this. Perhaps it should be part of the iLife package, or just built into the next version of Mac OS X, version 10.5.

Users demand security these days, and if they all aren’t, the new virus hiding on a small batch of iPods may just make them start to worry. And if users really aren’t demanding better protection, one big virus or breach of security outbreak could see that change in a heartbeat.

Whether you believe Windows Vista will, in the final analysis, really be that much more secure that Windows XP or not is something we don’t know the answer to yet. But at least we know that Microsoft is working hard on this issue, and has publicly made security a No.1 priority.

With the coming release of Mac OS X 10.5 next year, let’s hope Apple has made as many improvements to security as possible, especially while they still have time before the new OS X is released to the world market.

Apple, we want to see more proactive leadership on security, no ads on TV that seem to make Macs appear invulnerable and no more viruses on iPods…  so that an Apple a day really does keep the doctor away. Good luck!

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