Apple Computer has had three major marketing campaign runs that have changed the way the world looks at Apple Computer. " Think Different," "Switcher," and most recently the PC and Mac guys. With the two most recent campaigns Apple has focused on the fear that many PC users have of getting a virus, leading users to believe that using a Mac on the Internet is like living in a small country town instead of the big city. Simply put, use a Mac and you will be safe from the dangers of the scary Internet. For the most part this has always been true. As Mac users we are fairly safe from viruses and spyware, or so we are lead to believe.

The safety that resides in the Mac community is based on its size, and that our hardware and software is completely different. The Mac community is changing and it is changing fast. We are no longer as different as we once were and our numbers are growing rapidly. This fact has been present for a number of years but was not a huge concern because the internet script kiddies (hackers who base thir hacks off of prebuilt applications that require little or no computer knowledge to use) had yet to see anything that targeted the Macintosh. Today things are different.

During my weekly trips to the local monster chain bookstore I always make a point of checking out all the new computer magazines to catch up on any events that I may have missed. I always make a special point to keep an eye out for the hacker magazines that all the wanna be hackers across the globe pick up. While flipping through one I found a very interesting article titled "iPod Sneakiness." This article was focused on targeting unsuspecting computer users who are more then happy to let someone plug in an iPod for a quick charge. The article provides details on configuring the iPod as a hacking tool to automatically collect data in the background while it is charging. Very much like a DVD can automatically play when inserted into your computer, an iPod can automatically complete tasks as well, such as gathering passwords and personal information.

Although this has always been possible it is important to make note that Apple products are now gaining attention in the computer underground. For Mac users the coming years are going to end up showing just how unsafe our Mac community may be. Although you may feel it is a waste of money to purchase, install, and update regularly a respected virus scanning application, just remember that virus scanning software only protects you from what it knows about. If you donâ€^TMt update virus software you may never know about the new virus out there.