Front Row downloads point to Mac security problem

Every time I write about Mac security I get lots of comments telling me that Mac users don't need to use anti-virus software, that worms, trojans, and viruses aren't available for OS X, so why bother? People seem to think that since OS X might be a little tougher to hack than Windows that we Mac users are immune to nefarious script kiddies.

Sure, there may be a sliver of truth to that, but let's take a look at the recent spate of Mac users downloading various versions of both Photobooth and Front Row onto their Macs. These folks download this software from Jobs knows where and run it on their machines. The packages prompt for your password, and bam! You have just given total control of your Mac to some random application you downloaded from the net.

There have been no reports of harmful software masquerading as Front Row, or Photobooth, but the Mac community is an easy target for one resourceful rapscallion to exploit the strange combination of Apple lust and security that most Mac users have.

If you're going to download software illegally at least scan with ClamXAV before you run; it'll make me feel slightly better.