Reply #12: no spyware on the mac

[briang5000]

as far as I know there is no spyware on the Mac. (assuming you're running OS X).

Spyware is very common on Windows systems, because Internet Explorer is able to automatically install software when instructed by embedded tags in websites.

OS X will not allow anybody to install any software onto the system without first entering your admin password. So nothing can sneak into your system without your knowing.

Plus, software doesn't write to the system the way windows software installs things to the registry. OS X apps are all self contained as "packages" that are bundled within the application. If you need or want to delete or un-install a program.. you simply drat the icon to the trash. that's it.

there's a good article about the lack of OS X spyware here:


http://daringfireball.net/2004/06/broken_windows

WIndows users who are plagued by viruses, spyware, pop-ups, and other angst causing problems can eliminate most of their problems by switching to a Mac.

http://www.apple.com/switch/whyswitch/