Why is it that Macintosh computers are allegedly not susceptible to viruses, while PCs are?
The oft-given modern answer detailing the market share of Windows and the familiarity of the platform wrongly focuses on the ease of distribution, not the ease of infecting the system. Windows was built from the first version up with a disregard for established security, sacrificing most of it fo…
The Short Answer
The oft-given modern answer detailing the market share of Windows and the familiarity of the platform wrongly focuses on the ease of distribution, not the ease of infecting the system. Windows was built from the first version up with a disregard for established security, sacrificing most of it for ease of use and user experience. Where other OS's would give a normal user and programs only the access to the system it needed, Windows was designed to hide hard decisions for the user, giving their accounts and actions way too much access to the system itself. This makes for the relative big impact of even the smallest virus on Windows. So while macs are certainly susceptible to viruses, a combination of market share and ease of infection make Windows viruses much more prevalent, and effective. Now that Microsoft seems to have (finally) gotten the security side of Windows under control in 8.1 and (hopefully) 10 the virus landscape might shift again.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Windows, ease, system
This explanation focuses on windows, ease, system and spans 159 words across 6 sentences. At 121% above the average Biology explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “The oft-given modern answer detailing the market share of Windows and the familiarity of the platform wrongly focuses on” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Biology
Ranked #21 of 500 Biology questions by answer depth (top 5%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why it that macintosh computers are allegedly not susceptible to viruses, while pcs are?
The oft-given modern answer detailing the market share of Windows and the familiarity of the platform wrongly focuses on the ease of distribution, not the ease of infecting the system. Windows was built from the first version up with a disregard…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Biology questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 159 words, ranked #21 of 500 Biology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are windows, ease, system.
What approach does this answer take to explain it that macintosh computers are allegedly not susceptible to?
The explanation uses direct explanation across 159 words. It is categorized under Biology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.