Isn't running OSX on TP exposing oneself to security risks?

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dxben · #1 Post by **dxben** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:03 am

I don't quite get it. It seems the only way to run it on your Thinkpad is to download an installer disk from someone other than Apple. The veracity of what that disk does is completely unverifiable, and could expose the user to all sorts of bad stuff.

Is there a way to install it using a purchased copy of OSX from apple? (I mean technically).

steveh · #2 Post by **steveh** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:55 am

Apple does not support or license their OS on any machines other than Apple machines, and this will probably not change (including virtualization).

Steve

dxben · #3 Post by **dxben** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 10:29 pm

steveh wrote:Apple does not support or license their OS on any machines other than Apple machines, and this will probably not change (including virtualization).

Steve

Ok, but to my larger point, isn't everyone here exposing themselves to serious security issues? Your entire kernel could be compromised and no software/user level antivirus process could ever know to stop it.

mfbernstein · #4 Post by **mfbernstein** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:50 am

Anything is possible. The fact that numerous people are using it without ill-effect, and that the kernel's source is freely available somewhat ameliorates this.

It's a bit odd to be asking for a guarantee on software you didn't pay for though, and whose EULA prohibits its use in this context.

dxben · #5 Post by **dxben** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:23 pm

mfbernstein wrote:Anything is possible. The fact that numerous people are using it without ill-effect, and that the kernel's source is freely available somewhat ameliorates this.

It's a bit odd to be asking for a guarantee on software you didn't pay for though, and whose EULA prohibits its use in this context.

I think you're placing meaning into my words that I never put there. I am not asking for guarantees because I am not considering using the software. What I am asking is how people as technically savvy as Thinkpad users could be willing to run an OS that could be compromised.

The open kernel source is irrelevent unless you could replace the build kernel in the OSX binaries, which to my knowledge you can't. Open sourcing the kernel for OSX really doesn't address the security issue in running OSX that has been hacked.

Radioman · #6 Post by **Radioman** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:47 am

dxben wrote:The open kernel source is irrelevent unless you could replace the build kernel in the OSX binaries, which to my knowledge you can't. Open sourcing the kernel for OSX really doesn't address the security issue in running OSX that has been hacked.

Actually, you can swap the kernel on a running OS X. I did it myself.
Check out this kernel update guide on how to do it:

http://www.ihacblog.com/archives/2007/k ... date-guide

Melvyn · #7 Post by **Melvyn** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:46 pm

When you run non-oficial supported software (as Mac O SX) you're going at your own risk.

By the way, you do it for testing purposes only, I don't think why somebody will need a toy like that running on unsuported hardware for serious job.

Yes, I've installed it to test but I don't use it to really important stuff, I'm not confident on it. It's not realiable.

snessiram · #8 Post by **snessiram** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:04 am

@Melvyn: Do you mean OS X on it's own or OS X on unsupported hardware?

Melvyn · #9 Post by **Melvyn** » Thu May 24, 2007 6:44 am

snessiram wrote:@Melvyn: Do you mean OS X on it's own or OS X on unsupported hardware?

I mean on unsupported hardware (like TP).
Apple don't tell me "OS X will run there", so I don't have a serious reason for a bit of confidence.

ragefury32 · #10 Post by **ragefury32** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:33 am

Um. Experimental purposes only - do not run on production, revenue hardware.

Isn't running OSX on TP exposing oneself to security risks?

Isn't running OSX on TP exposing oneself to security risks?

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