Zero trust security: how secure is macOS from Apple? ESET researchers scrutinize well-known Mac myths, such as system immunity to malware and the allegedly few security flaws.
Almost every day the media report on ever larger, constantly improved and highly successful hacker attacks on companies worldwide. That is why many company leaders are already rethinking their security strategy and are turning more and more to "Zero Trust Security". This also includes checking the operating systems used, such as macOS, more precisely for their security. Because there are many myths about the security of Apple's macOS: starting with complete immunity to malware and ending with supposedly few security gaps. ESET researchers have carried out a myth check of Apple's operating system.
Deceptive 100 percent security
The success of the iPad and iPhone, as well as the well-thought-out ecosystem, has made Apple computers socially acceptable in companies. Until recently, Macs were only to be found in graphics departments and some marketing offices, but the triumphant advance has now spread to almost all departments. It is possible that the executive departments have noticed in their daily use of Apple devices how easy and safe they are to use. But when it comes to security, decision-makers should take a closer look, because macOS is thriving on the basis of five classic myths:
- Myth 1: There is no malware for macOS - Wrong
- Myth 2: the operating system is safe - True
- Myth 3: The few vulnerabilities are irrelevant - Wrong
- Myth 4: Hackers Don't Care About Apple - Half true
- Myth 5: Macs Don't Need Antivirus - Half true
Closer inspection revealed that only one myth stood up to scrutiny. Twice "half-true" and "false" each show that administrators should not weigh themselves in a false sense of security. This is especially true if the company relies on (or wants to) zero trust and should therefore generally mistrust every entity. In this case, there is no place for myths and marketing fairy tales.
macOS is becoming more and more lucrative for cyber criminals
macOS is a secure system, but further protection is good (Image: ESET).
“The success and increasing market shares make macOS more and more lucrative for cyber criminals. In November 2020, Apple presented a series of Macs with the new Apple Silicon M1 chip and a few weeks later the relevant malware was discovered, ”warns Thomas Uhlemann, Security Specialist at ESET. “Even if the pure quantity of macOS malware is comparatively small, Apple computers can still be infected. Or they become a springboard for Windows malicious code, which is harmless to the operating system, but finds its way into hybrid networks via Apple computers. That contradicts the idea of "zero trust security".
Conclusion of the ESET check
Apple's macOS is one of the most secure operating systems currently on the market. Regardless of the security gaps described, the manufacturer offers a very good security architecture that is constantly being further developed. However, even Apple does not offer 100 percent security. It is therefore advisable to incorporate an additional security layer in order to achieve the optimum goal. Experts recommend the additional use of a reliable and independently tested solution with several protection technologies. This could be ESET Cyber Security for macOS, for example. The link leads directly to the PDF with the analysis.
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