infoseeker
August 3rd, 2006, 09:15 PM
At the Black Hat USA conference, two security researchers demonstrated how easily they could hack into a Mac computer -- in this case Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) MacBook -- over a wireless network.
Operating from a nearby laptop, David Maynor, a senior researcher with SecureWorks, and graduate student Jon Ellch took aim at the MacBook's wireless card and wireless device, compromising the computer in about 60 seconds.
The object lessons from this demonstration are manifold, starting with the simple fact that computer security must go beyond installing software to shield the operating system to include protection for wireless devices and cards. There is also this hard truth: It is becoming increasingly clear that Apple computers are not as safe as they were once perceived to be.
However, a caveat is necessary: Using a Mac is still far safer than using a Windows system.
"Out of the box, a Mac is more secure than Windows," Scott Carpenter, director of security labs at Secure Elements, told MacNewsWorld.
READ COMPLETE (http://www.technewsworld.com/story/JmaLzgF81O82VD/MacBook-Security-Gone-in-60-Seconds.xhtml)
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Operating from a nearby laptop, David Maynor, a senior researcher with SecureWorks, and graduate student Jon Ellch took aim at the MacBook's wireless card and wireless device, compromising the computer in about 60 seconds.
The object lessons from this demonstration are manifold, starting with the simple fact that computer security must go beyond installing software to shield the operating system to include protection for wireless devices and cards. There is also this hard truth: It is becoming increasingly clear that Apple computers are not as safe as they were once perceived to be.
However, a caveat is necessary: Using a Mac is still far safer than using a Windows system.
"Out of the box, a Mac is more secure than Windows," Scott Carpenter, director of security labs at Secure Elements, told MacNewsWorld.
READ COMPLETE (http://www.technewsworld.com/story/JmaLzgF81O82VD/MacBook-Security-Gone-in-60-Seconds.xhtml)
:icon_tong infoseeker :icon_tong