The Perception of Macs as Safer Than Windows-Based PCs

For years, Apple has perpetuated the notion that Macs are inherently safer than Windows-based PCs. This idea has been reinforced through various marketing campaigns, including ads that claim Macs don't get PC viruses. However, how much truth is there to this claim? To explore this topic, let's examine some statistics.

Around 2012-2013, it was estimated that about one-third of the world's computers were infected with some sort of malware. When looking at only macOS, the number dropped to less than three percent. At first glance, these numbers seem to suggest that Macs are indeed safer than Windows PCs. However, it's essential to consider the reasons behind this disparity.

The reason for the apparent difference in vulnerability rates between Macs and Windows PCs lies not with the operating systems themselves but rather with the market share of each platform. Worldwide, just over three-quarters of desktop computers run some variant of Microsoft Windows, while macOS accounts for less than 12 percent of the market. This significant disparity in market share means that hackers and cybercriminals see more value in targeting Windows PCs.

The comparison between Macs and Windows PCs is akin to comparing a tourist district in a large city to a small town in the middle of nowhere. You're much more likely to encounter pickpockets or scams in crowded areas than in secluded towns. Similarly, black hat hackers and cybercriminals are more likely to target Windows PCs due to their widespread use.

Moreover, when we examine the underlying code of modern operating systems, it becomes clear that Macs and Windows PCs have different architectures. macOS is based on Unix, while Windows PCs run on the Windows NT kernel. This difference in foundation means that there isn't anything inherently more secure about macOS compared to Windows. Instead, the differences between the two platforms lead to varying levels of malware and exploits.

Saying that Macs don't get PC viruses can be seen as misleading, as it implies a level of inherent security that doesn't exist. Using a safer platform is no excuse to drop one's guard when it comes to cybersecurity. There are fewer exploits available for macOS compared to Windows PCs, but social engineering tactics like phishing attacks still pose a significant threat.

Regardless of the operating system you choose, exercising caution with how you use your machine and ensuring that you have a good anti-malware solution installed is crucial. This approach will help you minimize the risk of falling victim to malware, regardless of whether you're using a Mac or a Windows PC. For those who want to take extra precautions, migrating to a system that only allows downloads from vetted app stores, like a Chromebook, may be an option.

However, this decision also comes with its own set of trade-offs. If you choose to use a Chromebook, you may need to give up pirating games or accessing certain software. The renegade hacker who ignores the risks and continues to pirate content is not someone we want to emulate.

In conclusion, while Macs may have a lower market share than Windows PCs, this disparity does not necessarily translate into greater security for macOS users. The difference in vulnerability rates can be attributed to various factors, including market share and underlying code architecture. By understanding the reasons behind these disparities and taking steps to protect ourselves from malware, we can ensure that our chosen operating system is as secure as possible.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthere has been a long-standing perception that macs are indeed safer than windows-based pcs with apple even going as far as to create ads saying macs don't get pc viruses implying that you're putting your data at much greater risk if you aren't on the mac platform but how much truth is there to this claim well around the 2012-2013 timeframe it was estimated that about one-third of the world's computers were infected with some sort of malware and when you look at only max that number was less than three percent well since numbers don't lie max must be safer and a video all done now right well it depends on what exactly you mean by safer you see while it's true that there are fewer threats out there designed to attack macs compared to windows pcs the reason for that might not be what you think worldwide just over three quarters of desktop computers run some variant of microsoft windows with mac os 10 a very distant second at just over 12 percent market share that means that the simple truth is that black hat hackers and cyber criminals see more value in targeting windows it's kind of like how you're more likely to see a pickpocket operating in the tourist district of a large city compared to in a small town in the middle of nowhere and if you go back to the apple claim that max don't get pc viruses it's not hard to figure out that while it is technically true it was clearly designed to mislead while windows and mac os are very different operating systems in terms of their underlying code with modern versions of windows based on the windows nt kernel and mac os instead based on unix there actually isn't anything about mac os that makes it inherently more secure instead the differences between windows and mac os mean that while malware often has to be coded separately for each platform a mac isn't necessarily more difficult to attack or less vulnerable than a windows pc so saying that macs don't get pc viruses is about as useful as getting a message on a dating app from someone telling you that they simply can't catch diseases that only affect cows which should somehow make them more appealing but at the end of the day does it matter why fewer viruses that can infect you exist i mean maybe you should switch to a mac and reduce your odds of getting a malware infection simply by playing the numbers well there's actually a legitimate argument to be made there but here's the thing using a safer platform is no excuse to drop your guard while it is true that there are fewer exploits out there for mac it's actually much more common these days for the bad guys to steal your data by employing social engineering anyway social engineering includes tactics like phishing attacks that are designed to trick you into giving up your information through compromised websites such strategies are independent of what platform you're using so simply by paying attention and not clicking on suspect links or downloading questionable files you're likely to avoid the worst of the malware out there regardless of whether you're a pc or a mac it also helps that both microsoft and apple have developed pretty comprehensive ways of securing user systems and while neither of them is by any means perfect both companies invest plenty of resources into finding and patching vulnerabilities usually in a pretty timely manner so the bottom line is that if those are your two options exercising some caution with how you use your machine and ensuring that you have a good anti-malware solution installed is far more likely to be helpful than simply choosing a mac just because there isn't as much mac specific malware out in the wild and of course if you're really paranoid you can always just migrate to a system that doesn't allow you to download any programs that aren't part of a vetted app store like a chromebook it's just that if you do you might have to give up pirating your favorite games you renegade you speaking of giving up don't give up on this video yet because i want you guys to check out our sponsor the massdrop sennheiser hd6xx headphones are one of massdrop's all-time best sellers they've got the same drivers as the legendary hd650 giving you a balanced mid-range and natural sounding bass and they come with a detachable six foot cable featuring a standard 1 8 inch plug for everyday use as well as a quarter inch adapter for use with professional gear they're backed by sennheiser's long-term support so click the link below and join the drop today they sound just fantastic so thanks for watching guys like dislike check out our other videos leave a comment if you have a suggestion for a future fast as possible and don't forget to subscribethere has been a long-standing perception that macs are indeed safer than windows-based pcs with apple even going as far as to create ads saying macs don't get pc viruses implying that you're putting your data at much greater risk if you aren't on the mac platform but how much truth is there to this claim well around the 2012-2013 timeframe it was estimated that about one-third of the world's computers were infected with some sort of malware and when you look at only max that number was less than three percent well since numbers don't lie max must be safer and a video all done now right well it depends on what exactly you mean by safer you see while it's true that there are fewer threats out there designed to attack macs compared to windows pcs the reason for that might not be what you think worldwide just over three quarters of desktop computers run some variant of microsoft windows with mac os 10 a very distant second at just over 12 percent market share that means that the simple truth is that black hat hackers and cyber criminals see more value in targeting windows it's kind of like how you're more likely to see a pickpocket operating in the tourist district of a large city compared to in a small town in the middle of nowhere and if you go back to the apple claim that max don't get pc viruses it's not hard to figure out that while it is technically true it was clearly designed to mislead while windows and mac os are very different operating systems in terms of their underlying code with modern versions of windows based on the windows nt kernel and mac os instead based on unix there actually isn't anything about mac os that makes it inherently more secure instead the differences between windows and mac os mean that while malware often has to be coded separately for each platform a mac isn't necessarily more difficult to attack or less vulnerable than a windows pc so saying that macs don't get pc viruses is about as useful as getting a message on a dating app from someone telling you that they simply can't catch diseases that only affect cows which should somehow make them more appealing but at the end of the day does it matter why fewer viruses that can infect you exist i mean maybe you should switch to a mac and reduce your odds of getting a malware infection simply by playing the numbers well there's actually a legitimate argument to be made there but here's the thing using a safer platform is no excuse to drop your guard while it is true that there are fewer exploits out there for mac it's actually much more common these days for the bad guys to steal your data by employing social engineering anyway social engineering includes tactics like phishing attacks that are designed to trick you into giving up your information through compromised websites such strategies are independent of what platform you're using so simply by paying attention and not clicking on suspect links or downloading questionable files you're likely to avoid the worst of the malware out there regardless of whether you're a pc or a mac it also helps that both microsoft and apple have developed pretty comprehensive ways of securing user systems and while neither of them is by any means perfect both companies invest plenty of resources into finding and patching vulnerabilities usually in a pretty timely manner so the bottom line is that if those are your two options exercising some caution with how you use your machine and ensuring that you have a good anti-malware solution installed is far more likely to be helpful than simply choosing a mac just because there isn't as much mac specific malware out in the wild and of course if you're really paranoid you can always just migrate to a system that doesn't allow you to download any programs that aren't part of a vetted app store like a chromebook it's just that if you do you might have to give up pirating your favorite games you renegade you speaking of giving up don't give up on this video yet because i want you guys to check out our sponsor the massdrop sennheiser hd6xx headphones are one of massdrop's all-time best sellers they've got the same drivers as the legendary hd650 giving you a balanced mid-range and natural sounding bass and they come with a detachable six foot cable featuring a standard 1 8 inch plug for everyday use as well as a quarter inch adapter for use with professional gear they're backed by sennheiser's long-term support so click the link below and join the drop today they sound just fantastic so thanks for watching guys like dislike check out our other videos leave a comment if you have a suggestion for a future fast as possible and don't forget to subscribe\n"