» MacBook Wi-Fi hack admitted to be fraud Dvorak Uncensored: General interest observations and true web-log.

Published on August 19th, 2006

A claimed security hole in Apple’s MacBook has been exposed as a misrepresentation.

Earlier this month, a researcher at SecureWorks said he had revealed a vulnerability in the laptop’s wireless software driver that would allow him to take control of the machine. There was a vulnerability but it was exploited by using a third-party wireless driver rather than the one that ships with the MacBook.

SecureWorks’ website has been updated since the demonstration to reflect that fact a third-party driver had been used in the demonstration: “Although an Apple MacBook was used as the demo platform, it was exploited through a third-party wireless device driver – not the original wireless device driver that ships with the MacBook. As part of a responsible disclosure policy, we are not disclosing the name of the third-party wireless device driver until a patch is available.”

“Responsible policies” means you don’t claim phony vulnerabilities — and risk your company’s reputation because you don’t like Apple commercials.

9 users responded in " MacBook Wi-Fi hack admitted to be fraud "

# 1 João PT said, on August 19th, 2006 at 2:14 am

They used a Mac and used a third wireless device becuse 1) they wanted to show that a Mac is a vunerable as any Windows machine, and 2) that Apple asked them to use a 3rd party not to look so bad. But they said they could do it with a PC and the incuded Mac wireless too.
Other than this, who knows? It’s all pure speculation. Thay can be out to get Apple for all i care.
My point is, they should give the manufacturers involved a two week period to Fix things. And then come public with great detail on how to to this. Period. Just coming out with a hint at a security problem is a security problem. As soon as they do it, Hackers around the world will be pounding at it till they find it just because they know it’s there. And find it they will. Remember, Hackers are not low lifes clutzes nowdays. There’s sooo much money to be made in hacking that you can rest assured that some “cream of the crop” are already in place with a hacking mindset ( and this is important too…companies don’t have this mindset. ) pounding at it.

It’s time for Mac people to loose their viginity too and face it, OSX may well be more secure than windoze, but for the most part, it’s because it was not so targeted. Period.

# 2 Eideard said, on August 19th, 2006 at 3:23 am

João — Read the article. You don’t build a rep for security apps with a phony dog-and-pony show. They’ve now admitted the oem drivers were NOT vulnerable. Period.

# 3 João PT said, on August 19th, 2006 at 4:36 am

And where on the article they state they were only out to get Apple? If you are to post something sayng: “MacBook Wi-Fi hack admitted to be fraud”, please post the relevant article, where they admit to that. Or one that someone proves there’s a fraud.
I reacted to this, because it came up on one or two podcasts. (sorry can’t remeber exactly, but it was TWIT or Security Now…). And apparently the information at the time was the one I stated before.

I can’t care less it was an Apple or PC being seen attacked. I’m not interested in a “OS vs. OS” war (although the blog is, apprently – see add). I use and own several Macs and PCs and I am sensitive to both systems advantages.

And, ok, you’re right. I “perioded” my post too often… but you know, I’m gettin older and crankyer… (but not smarter, nor dumber…)

# 4 Eideard said, on August 19th, 2006 at 5:42 am

Figured I’d use the 1st non-Mac source I bumped into, bro’. Presumed that Mac-haters are as blindered as Mac-lovers. Sorry if “fraud” isn’t PC.

I’m cranky enough to see NO difference between “misrepresentation” and “fraud”.

# 5 gquaglia said, on August 19th, 2006 at 6:07 am

Sounds like a covert M$ plot to discredit the Mac OS to me.

# 6 chris said, on August 19th, 2006 at 6:09 am

it still remains that virus writers dont care to attack a mac due to a lack of numbers.
for every 100 mac users there is 10000 pc users (this is a example figure) who would you attack. apple has been patching thier system so there are holes. but no one cares enough.

Plus and more important virus writing for windows is easy.

so write a virus for a unix based system or a shit …. excuse me a windows system.

and im a windows guy. i am also a cleveland browns fan so im used to underachieving.