More Mac vs. PC Red Meat

"Hey, wanna play Minesweeper?"

I just read an interesting article that the patch model for security that Microsoft employs, and that Apple is beginning to adopt, actually encourages virus and malware hackers to write more exploits for those patched vulnerabilities. There are those who think that Macs will always be more secure than PC's running Windows, but those opinions don't take into account the vast user base of Windows machines. Is a Lamborghini Murcielago any more secure than a Honda Civic? No, but the most stolen car in America got that title by having the most volume. The first article I linked to stresses the most important point in all the security issues debates between Mac Lusers, PC Abusers, and even Linux Reclusers: the virus writers go after sheer numbers. In David Morgenstern's piece, he talks about how vulnerable the Mac platform should be, because of how homogeneous the platform is among its users. I'll just add that the homogeneity comes from a lack of software market. Do you really expect there to be a choice between a baguette or a sourdough loaf at the end of the breadline? Anyway, as Macs become more popular, jokes like all the ones I made above will mean less, and the anti-virus software market can only lick its teeth in anticipation. But until that happens, bring on the comedy!