It"s only a matter of time before Apple"s newly redesigned Mac operating system becomes a happy hunting ground for malicious hackers, according to a research report from security vendor Symantec. The Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, which tracked malicious hacker trends between July and December 2004, said increased sales of the low-priced Mac mini to less security-savvy computer users will lead to a bigger risk.
"Generally speaking, the Macintosh operating system has been relatively immune to malicious activity, particularly compared to other operating systems like Linux and Microsoft. With the introduction and popularity of Mac OS X, however, Apple has become a target for new attacks and vulnerabilities," the report stated. "Mac OS X has begun to not only capture the attention of users but of vulnerability researchers as well," the report added.