Although some exploits for OS X have been found, they hardly ever have an impact on a large number of users, and they are usually publicized just to prove a concept and encourage Apple to fix the holes. Due to this relatively false sense of OS security, some people use their Macs and walk around with their iPhones without a care in the world, but while that may work most of the time, it still helps to be aware of the problems that are out there.
Even though the excessive hype surrounding the iPhone has made it feel like it’s been out for over a year, as you know, the device hasn’t even been out that long, but people are immediately discovering that it’s not as secure as Apple has led us to believe. For example, a security hole has already been discovered, and if an iPhone user visits a Web page in Safari that is setup to exploit that hole, then others can gain access to the iPhone and control it by transferring messages, contacts, and so on. It’s essentially like turning your phone over to someone else that you don’t know without your knowledge, and that’s a scary thought.
This is unfortunate, but it’s also humorous in the sense that Apple has made such a big stinking deal about locking down direct access to the OS and the applications contained within the iPhone for security reasons, but in doing so, they’ve allowed developers to develop and distribute applications through a Web browser even though Web browsers are notorious for security holes and the manipulation that can be done through them. They provide an open door for content that only has to be viewed instead of installed to have an effect, and this is truly dangerous.
OS X Only Good for Entertainment
By encouraging people to develop applications through Safari due to security concerns, Apple is quite literally taking a hypocritical stance on the issue. After all, I’m sure the OS itself is more secure than the browser, so don’t try to tell us that the Internet is going to keep us safe. C'mon when has it ever held up that end of the bargain?
Apparently the vulnerability is also present in the Mac and Windows versions of Safari, so this just proves the point that the browser you use on your desktop or laptop is very similar to the one you’re holding in your hand, and you should treat it as such. Yes, Safari does give you the real Internet on the iPhone, including many of the associated security issues.
Versions of OS X are now being installed on almost everything from Apple, and Safari has made the jump to the mobile world, so expect to see more educated and possibly even more vicious attempts to bring these often secure items down to their knees. Apple may use the iPhone to try and show that the Web is the new operating system (at least when it comes to mobile devices), but just look at where that’s already leading us. It’s being proved that your approach to application development isn’t exactly the safest method in the world, so it’s time to just give us the SDK for real, Apple
http://www.osweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2619&Itemid=449
