Apple Hires Former Windows Security Hacker for OS X

For a long time, Macs were generally considered fairly safe in terms of malware because there wasn't very many Macs out there. The fact that the number of Macs was relatively small compared to the countless PCs deployed in universities, offices and homes around the world meant Windows machines were a much more likely target for cyber villains. However, as the Mac brand has grown in popularity, the machines are more at risk for malware attacks.

In an apparent effort to bolster Mac OS X security, Apple has hired a security expert that previously worked on locking down Microsoft's Vista OS. Kristin Paget was hired by Microsoft, along with a few other hackers, to try and find bugs and holes in Windows Vista. Now it seems Piget is working with Apple.

Wired reports that Paget's LinkedIn currently has her listed as a core operating system security researcher at Apple. While she wouldn't comment on the nature of her work (Apple also declined to elaborate on her employment with the company), the title would suggest she's lending a hand to keep OS X air tight.

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  • sixdegree
    Finally, they starts to address the fact that OSX platform can have virus and malware. This is a step to the right direction.
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    What? Apple's not going to stick to their cover-up policy?
    Reply
  • nforce4max
    His work is going to be fairly easy for a while searching for holes and exploits in OSX given just how weak the security is in that os. The only thing that stops most from making malware for osx is that there is no existing wealth of scripts, how to guides for writing malware for osx, and that the os is vastly different from windows as well linux when it comes to the commands. Simple phishing and spyware programs will likely be the biggest threat to Mac users in the future.
    Reply
  • pacomac
    For a start he is a she, and if you knew anything about OSX you would know there are nowhere near the number of security holes in OSX as there has been in Windows. Only know are Microsoft getting their act together.
    Reply
  • shahrooz
    a security expert that previously worked on locking down Microsoft's Vista OS.....
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    shahrooza security expert that previously worked on locking down Microsoft's Vista OS.....
    Vista's security is better than XP's given the new additional features.
    Reply
  • SoiledBottom
    This is why I love Tom's

    Kristin "Paget" was hired by Microsoft....before

    Now it seems "Piget" is working with Apple....after



    Reply
  • applerocks
    nforce4maxHis work is going to be fairly easy for a while searching for holes and exploits in OSX given just how weak the security is in that os. The only thing that stops most from making malware for osx is that there is no existing wealth of scripts, how to guides for writing malware for osx, and that the os is vastly different from windows as well linux when it comes to the commands. Simple phishing and spyware programs will likely be the biggest threat to Mac users in the future.
    Have you ever really looked recent versions of OS X? The default setting are pretty tight for not allowing any non-signed code to execute on the box. Not saying its 100% secure by any means, but you statement sounds like an uninformed opinion more than a knowledgeable fact.

    I have an old Mac Laptop that I let my kids use. The fact that they haven't been able to infect it with something is a pretty strong statement.
    Reply
  • COLGeek
    So many uninformed haters and nothing will ever change that. Any OS can be made unsafe or secure (at least more secure). The operator/user is the major problem that needs to be "fixed".

    Think about it.
    Reply
  • bak0n
    Apple is very secure. They only let you do limited things with their hardware and software so by default it is secure.
    Reply