I would say that 90-95% of average consumers purchase Apple computers for their false sense of “security”. It has never been that Apple computers didn’t get viruses it is more of the fact that most malware developers didn’t find the Apple platform profitable in previous years. Now that Apple has more of a market share it is now profitable.

There is a malware program called “Mac Defender” that poses as a seemingly legitimate security suite that prompt a user to install. Once the user installs it they are bombarded by porn popups and false AV notifications until they enter their credit card information and pay the $99USD for the program. The main problem is that almost no Apple users have installed any sort of AV or malware protection on their system as they were lulled by Apple ads and here-say into thinking that their computers were immune to any sort of infections.

"Mac Defender" Malware Screenshot

Now Apple has always had this seemingly helpful attitude towards their users in the past up until now. Apple sent out an internal memo saying not to help the users remove the infection and to simply direct them to their nearest Apple store to purchase and install AV protection. The internal memo also states that support representatives to not “confirm or deny the existence of any sort of software or program on their system”.

Apple's Internal Memo Regarding The Malware Issue

As thrilled as I am to see this wolf at Apple’s door hopefully this will be a harsh enough wake-up call to Apple users to get their system protected and stop acting so smug about being ignorant to very real threats to their computer’s. A quick Google search shows that Apple’s message boards are flooded and their support agents are not assisting at all (as well as the complete and utter lack of common sense).

Sources:

• http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2011/05/malware-macpocalypse-is-the-wolf-at-the-door/
• http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/story/does-apple-have-what-it-takes-tackle-mac-defender-malware/2011-05-20
• http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/05/02/mac-users-hit-with-fake-av-when-using-google-image-search/
• http://blog.intego.com/2011/05/02/intego-security-memo-macdefender-fake-antivirus/
• http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/modern-mac-owners-need-to-ignore-the-dinosaurs-and-get-protection/12857
• http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-mac-defender
• http://www.zdnet.com/blog/perlow/apple-doesnt-love-you-they-just-want-your-money/17323
• http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/05/02/mac-users-hit-with-fake-av-when-using-google-image-search/
• http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/apple-to-support-reps-do-not-attempt-to-remove-malware/3362

Today Other World Computing published an article that covers hard drive upgrades for the new 2011 iMac’s from Apple. As most of you know up until now you have been able to upgrade the RAM and Hard Drive in your Apple computers using off the shelf parts should you want something bigger, faster, or if your part failed. Want to install a SSD in your iMac? Too bad.

To add insult to injury, the latest iMac EFI Update 1.6 unleashed 6Gb/s speeds on two internal ports – and naturally, one of them is the proprietary, firmware-limited, 7200RPM main drive that can’t take advantage of those speeds anyway. ~ OWC.

Now Apple has put a proprietary temperature sensor and firmware on the hard drives that come in the 2011 iMac’s.

Not only is this a huge power play (or a “dick move”) but this is huge downside for it’s customers. While Apple computers have always been more expensive than their “PC” counterparts you have been able to buy any hard drive and install it in your Apple computer. Now if you need a replacement or want a bigger hard drive for your 2011 iMac you have to go through Apple. Not only is there the inconvenience of having to go through Apple the cost is also going to be significantly higher than a “standard” part.

We swapped the main drive out (in this case a Western Digital Black WD1001FALS) with the exact same model drive from our inventory which resulted in a failure. We’ve installed our Mercury Pro 6G SSD in that bay, it too results in ludicrous speed engaged fans and an AHT failure. In short, the Apple-branded main hard drive cannot be moved, removed or replaced. ~ OWC

OWC even found that using an IDENTICAL model number drive that did not come installed in an iMac results in an Apple Hardware Test failure. Basically this means that you cannot replace the hard drive with one that is not purchased through Apple.

As if I needed any more reason to not purchase Apple’s overpriced hardware this is definitely going to make people think twice about making their next computer an Apple that are used to being able to replace parts on their own. I would put money on it that we can see proprietary hard drives in their Mac Pro and MacBook Pro product lines relatively soon. Whats next? “Apple” RAM?

Sources:
Other World Computing – Apple Further Restricts Upgrade Options on New iMacs
MacRumors.com – Apple Restricts Hard Drive Replacements on New iMacs
Picture – iFixit iMac 2011 Teardown