Finally, we can put all those Windows-worshippers’ comments aside about how Mac security is more flawed than Wolfowitz’s logic (too soon?): for the last time, to all you people who claim Mac security is bad, direct your focus at 3rd party villains! Villains might be too strong of a term; regardless, a recent flaw in Adobe’s new CS3 turns off Mac firewalls without notifying the user…villainous? Perhaps.

MacFixIt reports that during installation, many users have experienced their firewalls being turned off surreptitiously by Adobe’s CS3. The problem isn’t permanent, so don’t fret; simply turn your firewall back to the “on” position, and you’re safe again.

However, doesn’t it strike you a tad disconcerting that one of the most widely-used editing and creation suites (designed specifically for Macs this time, I might add) nonchalantly disables users’ firewalls?

Things like this are what create a negative buzz amongst non-Mac users against the lovable machines. Of course, it can never be taken at face value (i.e an error in third party programming, not Apple’s).

Take Parallels, for instance. As soon as word got out that strange viruses and malware were popping up on Mac hard drives (coincidentally on computers that installed Windows via Parallels), the public began critizing Macs as unsafe machines, just like all the others.

Word to the critics: if you remove a tapeworm from an ailing animal, the animal gets better. Take the tapeworm that is Windows from the peaceful, fun-loving machines that Macs are, and problems disappear…coincidence? I think not.

Will there ever come a time when Macs can not be affiliated with third party flaws? Sure, there are the occasional issues, but in a realistic comparison, most Mac users don’t have the same problems or jump as many hurdles to achieve security..it just happens.

I wonder what it’s like on the other side of the fence…looking at your dying lawn, possibly destroyed by a recent landslide or sinkhole (or Vista), and then despairingly staring at the green grass of a Mac owner..I suppose I too might find solace in pointing out the occasional dandelion that sprouts up in a Mac yard.

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Related:

Apple: Adobe fixes an epidemic of Javascript vulnerabilities; Security patch available for Mac and Windows users

Adobe updates Lightroom 1.4.1 and Camera Raw 4.4.1 for Mac

Adobe undercuts Apple with Adobe Media Player

Apple: Adobe announces that Photoshop Elements 6 is now available for Mac

Apple refuses to return $2,000 to customer

Stumble It!

Entry was posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 6:58 pm under Adobe, Mac, Vista, Windows.  Print This Post

Read more entries by Triston McIntyre.