Hackers take a bite out of Apple

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Mac users are complacent when it comes to security, according to the latest research from Symantec.

A survey of Mac users found that more than three quarters of them think their platform is more secure than a PC.

But this is not true, according to Symantec sales and marketing director Kevin Chapman. He said: "The Mac is no more secure than the PC. They seem to feel safer, because Macs get less viruses. This doesn't mean they can't be hacked."

He said malicious hackers (or crackers) who scan the internet for unprotected computer ports to break into do not distinguish between Macs and PCs. Chapman added: "Ninety-five per cent of all internet-linked computers get scanned by hackers whether you're using a Mac or a PC. If you don't have the right software in place you're going to be in trouble.

"They seem to think they need to take less precautions, and this is a dangerous misconception."

Symantec found there was a lack of awareness of the danger posed by blended threats such as Nimda, and Trojan horses which could open up computers to crackers.