Mac Users Running Windows: What, Me Worry?

However, the rollout of Boot Camp on Wednesday has also prompted concerns in some quarters as to how safe the application is. Windows XP, after all, has been the target of innumerable malware assaults over the year.

Nevertheless, running Windows on a Mac does not pose unique security problems, contends Scott Carpenter, director of security labs for Secure Elements.

Inevitable Development

"All of the vulnerabilities for each operating system remain," he told MacNewsWorld. "All Mac OSX vulnerabilities exist when the machine is booted to OS X, and all of the XP vulnerabilities are there when XP is active."

Making dual operating systems available to users on one machine does not heighten the risk, according to Carpenter.

"In fact, this may actually lower security vulnerabilities," he suggests. "In effect, it is just like having two computers -- only one of which can be running at any given time," he explains.

"If having the dual-boot capabilities causes people that used to have two machines connected to the Internet all of the time to switch to one machine, their vulnerability footprint is lowered," reasons Carpenter.

Growing Market Share

At any rate, the Mac's aura of invincibility has eroded this year, beginning with the emergence of the first worm targeted at its iChat messaging system in February and subsequent revelations of vulnerabilities in Safari.

It can be assumed that Apple examined safety issues as it developed Boot Camp. The purpose of the application, as well as its Intel-based line of computers, is to increase market share -- which it will not be able to do if its image is sullied by successful attacks against its operating system.

Ironically, it is this outreach that may bring on more malware assaults -- not any real or perceived vulnerabilities in Mac software.

"I believe that Boot Camp will increase Apple's share in the desktop market," Carpenter said. "The increased market share may also make OS X a larger target for malicious code writers."

It may be that users feel that having a single machine that boots with Windows XP or Mac OS X is worth it.

Ever since Apple announced its switch to Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) processors, users have been looking for ways to run Windows on a Mac, Carpenter said, mentioning reports of a Houston man who offered a prize for the feat.

"Many industry insiders agree that Apple has kept Boot Camp on the shelf, and only released it in response to those efforts," Carpenter said.