Apple Scales Back Marketing Language on OS X Security Following Flashback - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Scales Back Marketing Language on OS X Security Following Flashback

Computerworld Australia reports on a blog post from Sophos security expert Graham Cluley published earlier this month detailing changes to Apple's "Why you'll love a Mac" OS X marketing pages on the topic of security. The changes, which come after a significant malware attack from Flashback earlier this year, focus more of the text of OS X's built-in security features rather than implying Macs are immune to viruses and suggesting that users do not need to take any action to protect themselves.

Apple removed the previous statement "It doesn't get PC viruses" and replaced it with "It's built to be safe," and "Safeguard your data. By doing nothing" with "Safety. Built in." [...]

In addition to changing its marketing messages, Apple has released a security guide for the iPhone operating system iOS and announced in February that OS X 10.8, or Mountain Lion, would include a new feature called Gatekeeper that would restrict which applications users can install on their devices.

os x security marketing comparison
Beyond the increased security features such as Gatekeeper making their way into OS X Mountain Lion, Apple is also working to reduce vulnerabilities in third-party platforms such as Java that are frequently exploited by malware authors. Apple has been working to shift responsibility for Java updates to the OpenJDK in order to make them more timely and has also been pushing out software updates to disable Java by default if it goes unused for a period of time.

Popular Stories

macOS 27 next to MacBook Pro Running macOS 27

Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents

Friday October 2, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
In a post on its developer news website today, Apple announced that it will be introducing "additional controls" for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS due to new risks posed by AI agents. This announcement comes amid the rise of always-on AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots, which have prompted privacy concerns. "Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could...
iPhone 18 Pro Max Glacier Camera

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced

Friday October 2, 2026 8:21 pm PDT by
Apple today confirmed that a "small number" of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network have experienced an issue that causes the device to lose cellular service, thereby preventing phone calls, text messages, and data from working. Thousands of users complained about the issue across the Apple Support Community and other platforms. Apple said it released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and...
iPhone 18 Pro Max ATT

AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'

Thursday October 1, 2026 8:42 pm PDT by
In a text message sent to customers today, AT&T acknowledged that some iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on its network are experiencing cellular issues. AT&T said that customers should immediately update to iOS 27.0.1, despite the fact that many affected users have said that the update does not resolve the issues. There are now at least thousands of users that have experienced this problem,...

Top Rated Comments

ChazUK Avatar
186 months ago
I think we are at the point where every OS X user should use some sort of malware protection.
Common sense does me fine, thanks.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr McKay Avatar
186 months ago
Why change? It never did get PC viruses, and still doesn't. Microsoft could easily add "It doesn't get Mac Malware" to their Windows page and still be correct.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombierunner Avatar
186 months ago
Lay off the porn and you'll be alright!

Edit: Also lay off the face space, my book and such
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HenryAZ Avatar
186 months ago


I mean, do you consider a trojan to be a virus? I certainly don't.

To technical people, no. But the world is made up of less-than-technical people, and their perception is that if the computer has been "taken over" or invaded, it matters not what you call it.

Before I retired, doing sysadmin work, my boss used to maintain that if the web server is inaccessible, then it is "down". It didn't matter the actual technical reason (router hung, name server not resolving, someone unplugged a switch, or even in fact the web server was not serving), if the end user could not access it, it was "down". That is how most people perceive it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
186 months ago
The inevitable price of increasing success.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mal Avatar
186 months ago
No doubt. Also realizing that they can't spin this BS any longer the way they used to. OS X was safer ONLY because it hasn't been targeted... I think we are at the point where every OS X user should use some sort of malware protection.

Ah, the good old Marketshare Myth™. Too bad it doesn't hold up to the simplest of logic. After all, can you tell me why OS 8-9, with a fraction of the marketshare, had orders of magnitude more malware (including actual viruses and worms)? After all, it should have been even more protected because there were fewer of them and would have been even less targeted.

jW
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple's Newest Macs Just Got Their Biggest Price Cuts Yet on Amazon
Apple's Newest Macs Just Got Their Biggest Price Cuts Yet on Amazon
51 minutes ago
Apple Watch Prime Day Deals Arrive With New All-Time Low Prices for Series 12 and Ultra 4
Apple Watch Prime Day Deals Arrive With New All-Time Low Prices for Series 12 and Ultra 4
1 hour ago
Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update
Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update
1 hour ago
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
AirPods Max 2 Drop to $429 in All Colors for Prime Day
2 hours ago
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
Apple Quietly Triples iCloud Mail Alias Limit to Nine
2 hours ago
Mac Users Reclaim 12GB+ of Storage With Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
Mac Users Reclaim 12GB+ of Storage With Apple Intelligence Removal Tool
3 hours ago
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen
4 hours ago
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI
4 hours ago
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death
5 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch
6 hours ago
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'
12 hours ago
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist
12 hours ago
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'
13 hours ago
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13
14 hours ago
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
1 hour ago
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale
23 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
Top Stories: Apple Smart Home Launch on October 13, iPhone Duo Production Issues, and More
2 days ago
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
2 days ago
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
Apple Announces 'Full Disk Access' Changes on macOS Due to AI Agents
3 days ago
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
AT&T and Apple Just Took Steps Toward Fixing iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
3 days ago
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
3 days ago
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up
3 days ago
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
Beats 360 Cushion Kits and Apple Accessories See Early Prime Day Price Drops
3 days ago
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
Apple Store in UK Reopening on iPhone Duo Launch Day
3 days ago
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
AT&T Acknowledges iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: Update 'Immediately'
3 days ago
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
New 'AirFly Drive' Accessory Turns Wired CarPlay Into Wireless CarPlay
4 days ago
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
Apple Shares Photos Shot on iPhone Duo
4 days ago
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
Apple Says iPhone Duo Has Replaceable 'Cover Layer'
4 days ago
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
Apple's Smart Home Camera Will Apparently Have 'No Video Recording'
4 days ago
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
Apple TV Just Updated Its Selection of 'Bonus' Movies
4 days ago