Identity theft

This is a bit of an open ended question. OS X.x is a pretty secure environment. It is well written, but I think one of the reasons it seems more secure is that it is attacked less often.

With such a large percentage of Windows users; that is where the hackers, phisers and the like spend most of the time.

In my experience OS X doesn't appear to have many vulnerabilities but then most of us are also less experienced in how to make it more secure or tell if its been compromised.

You might actually get some other views and responses by making this a discussion as well.

Most security professionals recommend either Macs or Linux PC's for security over Windows. While either of these solutions are designed from the ground up with opposing architecture philosophies from a Windows PC, they still have a potential for being hacked. Why? Because they are connected to the Internet.

The only way to prevent a hacker form gathering information from your PC remotely is a networking tool I call scissors. With a few snips you are safe from all sorts of attacks.

While scissors will prevent outside attacks they also prevent contact with the outside world.

There is an alternative.

It is called a multi-layered approach. What this means is you start at the bottom layer of your network and make it as secure as resonably possible, and then work up the OSI security model adding security layers along the way. This will provide a resonably secure environment no matter what OS you have.

8th layer - Educate the user, don't play office politics
4th-7th layer - AV protection, OS & Software patches, Spyware blocking, Software security optimization, etc...
3rd layer - packet sniffing, software firewall, Intrusion Detection System
2nd layer - NAT router, hardware firewall
1st layer - locks on doors, security system, fence, gaurd dog, etc...

Job Cacka

I.D. theft is a viable concern. In depth measures are for sure the best way in an organization. Personal use is harder to answer. The more popular an os the more it is hacked.(more people more opportunities to catch a fish) The best place to research your decision is to visit the approiate o.s. website and visit their security section to see what they recommend. A concerned security dept will be active and give you indepth actions that you can take on your part concerning your choice. Then choose the one that is more in tune with your abilities. i.e.;it is mostly automatic on your part, or their is a lot of pro activity on your part. Also any good o.s. will offer a free security course for your application. GOOD LUCK. Besides there is no such thing as total security.

Most identity theft does not occur via computer. "Dumpster diving", mail theft, "clerk attacks", not to mention the security incompetence of many companies that hold your sensitive data are the main source of the problem. You need to monitor your credit card statements, credit report, mail, and other places where identity attacks will leave a fingerprint.

The most important thing all of us can do is to get our government to see the security of our personal information as important to the health of the country and not just a commodity to be sold.

Write your congressman.

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