Mac users have long thumbed their noses at users of Windows PCs, claiming superiority, better security, and a higher degree of “cool”. As far as security, much of that claim is an illusion, especially since Microsoft delivered much more robust security with Vista. The relative lack of Mac attacks has always been largely a factor of market share. Given that most attacks are based in a desire to reap profit, attackers naturally target the operating system with the largest share of the market in hopes of gaining more victims. Meanwhile, the relative handful of Apple shops are running on borrowed time, skimping on security under the mistaken belief that “We don’t need it, we have Macs.”

A blog entry by Adam O’Donnell poses a very serious question, asking whether we have reached the “Mac malware tipping point.” We have indeed. Malware designed for the Mac is inevitable, and unfortunately for Mac users, there will be a period of time between when the attacks first start to hit in full force, and when Mac users finally start realizing they need security–and during that period, it will be a free-for-all for the bad guys. But of course, right now, there are still not that many attackers out there targeting the Mac. But the operative phrase there is “not many,” which is a lot different to “none.” Mac users do have the advantage of obscurity relative to Windows when it comes to attacks, but it still pays to be vigilant.