Pwn2Own Hacker: Mac Is Less Protected But Safer Than PC

Pwn2Own Hacker: Mac Is Less Protected But Safer Than PC

Pwn2Own is a respectable annual hacking competition that is designed to reveal hidden security flaws within modern web browsers and operating systems. In 2008, Charlie Miller managed to hack Apple's Mac Book Air in 2 minutes flat. In 2009, he managed to exploit a bug in Safari web browser in order to take control of yet another Mac Book Pro in a few seconds.

In a recent interview, Miller explained that Mac is more vulnerable than PC, but still recommended it for the average user who seeks security. "Between Mac and PC, I'd say that Macs are less secure for the reasons we've discussed here (lack of anti-exploitation technologies) but are more safe because there simply isn't much malware out there," he said. "For now, I'd still recommend Macs for typical users as the odds of something targeting them are so low that they might go years without seeing any malware, even though if an attacker cared to target them it would be easier for them."

Miller then recommended that users should keep their systems up to date at all times. Users also shouldn't rely on anti-malware programs because those programs don't protect against attacks such as the ones he used in Pwn2Own.