Virus writers target PC users

If you access the web via a PC you are more likely to be targeted by virus writers than if you use a Macintosh computer, according to a new report.

The most commonly reported virus that could infect an Apple Mac is way down the list of offenders at number 78, reports anti-virus company Sophos.

This is compared with the top ten viruses which were all Windows viruses, accounting for over 50 per cent of all reports, and incapable of infecting Apple Macs.

"It's perfectly possible to write viruses for Apple Macs. They have no more inherent security than a PC, but virus writers appear to be motivated by a desire to cause widespread havoc and so have concentrated on the market leader," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

However, owners of Apple Macs shouldn't rest completely easy as Sophos found Macs are more likely to be infected by the most virulent kind of PC-virus - the email-aware worm.

"Worms don't know when they launch themselves whether they are being sent to an email address belonging to a PC or a Mac user. Many Mac users have found that their email inboxes are being filled up with PC worms. Although they can do no harm on the Mac, they are a nuisance to delete or may be manually forwarded to unsuspecting PC colleagues."