Mac OS X, mythically immune to common computer plagues, has actually always welcomed antivirus software. Or, uh, maybe not. Confused? No worries—here's how OS X and Windows differ on resisting viruses and other nasties.

It's not a matter of opinion: OS X is less susceptible to catching a cold than Windows. So is Linux, for that matter. There are two major reasons (and Steve Jobs' pee actually isn't one of them). First, Windows is on 89.6 percent of the world's personal computers, while OS X is on just 8.9 percent of them. Second, the Unix architecture that OS X and Linux are based on is inherently more secure than Windows, particularly pre-Vista versions. (If these reasons are familiar to you, you may not know the subtler side-effects of each reason that strengthen the case even more, so read on.)

There are a few different ways that Microsoft's mammoth market share actually hurts Windows and helps OS X. For one, writing nastiness that the vast majority of the world's personal computers are susceptible to is a more efficient use of resources than writing the same evil for a sliver of the population. In biology, a more homogeneous population is more susceptible to a genocidal plague. Same principle applies to the vast, Windows-powered ecosystem. I don't mean someone could write a virus that wipes everybody out. Just that if everybody's running Windows, the population is a much easier target.

The flipside of this—which you might not have considered—is that most malware writers obviously use Windows. They're going to whip up code for the OS they're familiar with and know best. And more to that point, most of the tools and scripts used to wreak havoc on computers are written for Windows. The same ecosystem that provides the biggest, most susceptible audience also provides the most fertile breeding ground for the nasty executables.

But suppose this was some bizarro world where OS X was king. Would Microsoft run ads about how virus-plagued OS X was? Well, it would still be more prudent to run anti-virus software, since there'd be a lot more crap thrown at the Mac OS, but if malware acted mostly like it does today, it likely wouldn't have the same impact as it did on Windows pre-Vista.

A lot of that is because of the way permissions work in OS X vs. Windows. Basically, Unix-based systems are architected so that they require administrator privileges to modify the OS and are traditionally more strict in enforcing them. Critical areas are walled off from normal users—you see this when OS X asks for a password to install updates or change a system setting. A standard non-admin user account is restricted; bad software can't wreak much havoc at all without that password.

This is precisely what Vista's somewhat-maligned User Account Control attempts to replicate, limiting points of intrusion and requiring explicit user permission to get anywhere deep. On Windows, historically, the enforcement of these restrictions has been lax in the name of convenience.

This is not to say that OS X is invulnerable, by any means. The main applications folder is relatively unprotected, and any running app can write to it and most of what's inside. Coupled with OS X's app-bundling architecture, this makes it easier to replace program executables or sneak in a piggybacking one. Even then, however, the malware would need to elicit elevated permissions to do any hardcore damage to the core OS; it could, unfortunately, nuke your relatively unprotected Home folder though. Another point of vulnerability, or at least a pain point, according to Mac Forensics Lab, is OS X's centralized address book, which also has weak defenses. If the Home folder book did require the same level of permissions, it would be kinda unusable, because you'd have to elevate permissions to make any and every change.

This brings us to OS X's biggest security hole, the one that it actually shares with every operating system: you. It doesn't matter how good baked-in security is if a user throws out the welcome mat for whatever crap comes their way. On the flip side, you're also the first, and best, line of protection. Don't do anything stupid, and you'll be fine, anti-virus software or not—whatever OS you're running.

Something you still wanna know? Send any questions about viruses, VD or the 1995 Dustin Hoffman film Outbreak to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

DRM sucks. I doubt that there are many people out there (that don’t work for a company which uses such security measures on their products) that would disagree with me. Yes, I understand that it is the industry’s reaction to piracy, but most of the time, they end up putting restrictions on the legitimate buyer that makes a simple task like installing (or re-installing) a game frustrating. SecuROM made headlines not long ago as the DRM of choice for Spore. In case you missed it, the game was (initially) limited to a total of 3 installations, and phoned back to EA every single time you played it. Well SecuROM is back, and this time it’s bundled with Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC.

Don’t worry, the limitations of this particularly nasty DRM are actually rather lax. You’ll need to register the game upon installation, and the disc needs to be in your drive to play. Other than that, there isn’t any limit to the number of times the game can be installed. That is definitely a welcome change, however, I recommend not going to the store and picking up a copy of this. GTA: IV is going to be released on Steam, which takes a much better approach to things. Just download it from them, and forget about leaving the disc in the drive.

[ IGN ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

Samsung mobile charging station - Mobile phones, iPods, laptops are all welcome here

If you do any kind of traveling through the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you’re probably already well aware that Samsung Mobile has started distributing mobile phone charging stations throughout departure terminals. Samsung launched their airport mobile phone charging kiosks last year to help tech-addled travelers keep their electronic gadgets juiced up pre-flight.

Samsung Mobile has announced that they’ve installed an additional 115 mobile phone charging stations in three more US airports - George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The new charging stations will help keep busy travelers’ mobile phones and laptops topped off, allowing them to work before and throughout the flight without worrying about losing charge.

According to Samsung, “The Samsung Mobile Charging Stations have four outlets per station, allowing multiple travelers to re-charge their electronic devices. They are designed to re-charge personal electronics designed for U.S. voltage (i.e., 120 volts). The electrical re-charging stations are designed with a small shelf to hold electronic equipment.”

Samsung’s mobile charging stations help put the mobile phone maker’s brand in front of 395 million pairs of eyes annually, in 10 airports throughout the US.

[Via: CellularNews]

Related News from IntoMobile:

• Samsung working with Los Angeles International Airport on charging stations - LAX helps charge up portable electronics devices
• Boingo Wireless gives free WiFi hotspot access to iPhones at 13 North American airports
• Phone as airline boarding pass coming to American Airlines
• Barcodes on mobile phones will make airline boarding-pass obsolete
• Seiko Epson and Murata working on wireless power transmission

For starters there’s the dodgy sellers selling items with silly low prices, but outrageously inflated postage costs to sidestep the fees associated with selling. As a seller, I have never done that since it’s against the rules, but the enforcement of the policy seems to be very lax, and it’s simply unfair to those of us playing by the rules.

I can somewhat understand why sellers do this: eBay’s fees are out of control. They realise they have a hold on the market, and therefore continue to put up the costs of listing. Not only that, they introduced a new policy a few months ago requiring all auctions to offer PayPal as an option for payment. That really put me off. I’ve had poor experiences with PayPal before, as has Judie, and for it to be forced on us sellers because eBay claim it’s a safer way to pay is outrageous. I’ve bought stuff on PayPal that was faulty, seller would not do anything about it. PayPal took a ridiculously long time to reject the claim with no reasoning given.

… [visit site to read more]

American Airlines getting in on that cellphone boarding pass fad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

When it comes to a PC gamer, they need certain things that other users might not need in a computer. High-end graphics cards, lots of RAM, fancy keyboards and special mice are all things than you might find attached to a gaming rig. So when it comes to fighting computer viruses, gamers need special software for that, right? Norton seems to think so.

Norton Antivirus isn’t know for its low memory usage. In fact, it can be one of the biggest resource hogs on your computer, which isn’t good for framerates. So what has Norton done? They’ve cooked up a special Gaming Edition of their 2009 antivirus software. This release is supposed to use 80% less memory, and allow for more lax security in leu of better performance. You can even set it to “Gamers Mode” which will suspend all update downloads and antivirus alerts, thus not interrupting your gaming experience. If this special version doesn’t cost anything extra, then it might be worth looking into, that is if you can stand to have Norton on your computer in the first place.

Source

We’ve already seen few multiple-charging devices in the past. What makes IDAPT different is that it’s cradle-like desktop charger, which perfectly sits on a desk. In addition, it is the only charger adaptable to any portable device by a system of interchangeable power tips — just choose the proper tips for your gadgets among a complete compatibility list… and charge.

Currently two IDAPT models are available - I2 and I3. The former has been designed to fit personal charging needs both in a desk and bedside table; while the latter will satisfy all family and office needs. I2 cost 34.95 EUR and I3 only 49.95 EUR. Both models are available in over 20 countries in major retailers.

Barcelona, Spain-based INOITULOS is the company behind the useful accessory and they’ve secured patents for their work.

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• FED Charger - Universal Cell Phone Charger
• Samsung working with Los Angeles International Airport on charging stations - LAX helps charge up portable electronics devices
• RIM: Mobile Voice System converges Office Phone System and your BlackBerry
• Nokia makes phones that work all over the world; too bad they don’t have an international warrenty
• Sleek battery charging stations - Juice-up in style

The unit operates on normal store bought batteries, but don't worry about locking yourself out because of lax battery upkeep because the Remock Lockey will automatically prevent locking if the battery level is too low. Your invisible security is rather affordable at just 198,000 Korean won ($163) here.

Via Funshop Korea

Prices aren’t the only thing dropping in HDTV land these days. Due to some larger, backlight-banishing OLED sets on the horizon, it’s ex-lax and Ephedrine time for LCDs.

JVC no doubt saw this war on the bulk coming when it announced the LT-42SL89, a 42-inch LCD with a svelte 1.5-inch waistline (2.9-inches in the middle), earlier this year. And while the set can no longer lay claim to the “world’s thinnest LCD with a built-in tuner” title belt (that goes to the 10mm Sony Bravia ZX1…for now), no one’s going to be cracking any fat jokes at this set’s expense.

Slenderizing aside, what really got our gadget sense tingling was the set’s formidable video processor. Turns out you don’t have to make many compromises for a Nicole Richie-esque figure after all. Picture quality was consistently sharp and clear with impressive color saturation. Equally noteworthy was the TV’s ability to scrub out noise without completely killing detail.

The LT-42SL89 didn’t dazzle us with its jaggy-smoothing prowess — and it did occasionally choke on some 24 fps HD video sources with noticeable moiré and flicker artifacts — but for the most part we found very little to complaint about. At the end of the day, this rail thin LCD delivered what turns out to be stone solid performance in an almost disturbingly skinny package. Oh and that price? With tough economic times descending upon us like an avalanche, there should be enough cash under your matress to shell out for this set. —Bryan Gardiner

WIRED Stronger and thinner than a pack of Trojans. Handles fast motion exceedingly well, with little to no blurring. Backlit remote with separate buttons for each video input. Comes with a fleet of connectivity, including (but not limited to) three HDMI inputs, an optical digital audio output and a headphone jack. Bezel is also hipster-jeans skinny.  Smallest packaging we’ve seen on a 42-incher — we got no nasty glares from the UPS guy when he dropped this bad boy off.

TIRED Black levels led us to the gates of letdown-ville. Occasionally struggled with film-based HD video. 20W built-in speakers lack the necessary punch for a HDTV this size. Calibration options thinner than the set itself.

$1,900, JVC

(Image by JVC)