Are Macs becoming more vulnerable to malware?
The biggest vulnerability to Macintosh computers is the belief among their devoted users that Apple's (AAPL) superior operating system makes them immune to malware, experts say.
"Some Mac users have this perception that the Mac is free from hacks and that is completely wrong," said Zheng Bu, senior director of research for Milpitas-based FireEye, which develops anti-malware products. Mac users, said Kevin Haley, Symantec director of product management for security response, "have let their guard down."
While the vast majority of malware is aimed at Windows operating systems, the growing market share of MacBooks and iMacs is making Apple computers a bigger target. In recent years, Macintosh computers have garnered about 20 percent of the U.S. consumer market, said Stephen Baker, the hardware analyst at the NPD Group. "They are gaining," he said.
