Those of you who know me, know that I am not a fan of Apple...in fact, I detest Apple and all it stands for. I have had nothing but trouble with it ever since I got my MacBook Pro from that stupid school. I get a headache whenever I try to look for compatible components for non-Apple product MP3 players (because, for some stupid reason, nobody seems to think people buy anything other than Apple iPods). When the iPad came out I strained my eyes rolling them so much. So, I took great pleasure in the South Park season premier when they ragged on Apple (and the Human Centipede) and I read every article that suggests the golden throne Jobs sits atop is really more of the porcelain variety.

So, I was interested to read two news items this morning that reveal to the world that Steve Jobs and his Apple cronies are big, fat liars. Ever since I got my laptop I've been told that there are no known Mac viruses...in fact, I was told exactly that by the guy at the Apple store when I raised the concern that my computer was acting as if it had a virus...So, imagine my interest when my buddy James tells me he's come across a Mac virus! What's this? I almost didn't believe him...or, I didn't believe him enough that I downloaded the offending software myself...because I had to see, I had to know! And lo and behold...! Just so you know, if you ever come across a font calling itself "Pastor of Muppets," don't download it! At least, not if you have a Mac...can't be sure if it works on a PC but after the pain I went through to get rid of it from my Mac, somebody else is going to have to test that one out! So yeah, it was "only" a Trojan, but still!

But then, a couple weeks ago when I installed new anti-virus software for my troubling Mac, the software informed me that I had over a dozen security threats! They were Trojans...my computer was littered with them. No, they weren't "viruses" but frankly, I couldn't care less about the differentiation between virus, Trojan, or even worm. They are all destructive in one way or another and they are all created by people who are trying to damage others. In other words, they're all bad. Period. End of story. So, while there may not be a Mac "virus," that doesn't matter because the other malware is bad enough and a Mac virus is no doubt in the works.

See, the reason that Apple products have thus far been largely spared the same fate as PC's is because, up until now, Apple has been a niche market, appealing only to people who don't know any better. But now, with the introduction of all of it's "i" products, Apple is going heavily mainstream...and now they're starting to feel the heat. With more and more people buying into the Apple flimflam the company is increasing its exposure to nasty people with nothing better to do than try to scam or otherwise harm people. By maintaining the attitude that Apple products are so well protected from security threats you don't need anti-virus software, you lull (some) people into a false sense of security, and that's when they become most vulnerable. It's only by virtue of my paranoia (and a previous experience with malicious software) that I have downloaded anti-virus software to my Mac...and clearly it wasn't a moment too soon!

The attitude at Apple is criminal and they should be held accountable for it. Certainly not in the way that hackers and creators of malicious software should be held accountable, but Apple should be held accountable for the security of their product.

So, what I'm trying to get across here is, if you own a Mac then be sure to get anti-virus software for it (yeah, it's not easy because so few companies make software for Mac...but it's not impossible). Don't be a fool and eat the Apple!