Apple Head Craig Federighi Says macOS’ Level of Malware Is Unacceptable

Apple head of software Craig Federighi said Mac malware is more widespread than iOS and is significantly higher than Apple would like. Federighi made this revelation while testifying in court during Epic Games‘ high-profile case against Apple.

During his testimony, Federighi was quizzed by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers about the security differences between Mac and iOS. Federighi pointed out that iOS has less malware than macOS even though the mobile platform has 10 times more users.

According to Federighi, Apple has identified up to 130 different kinds of malware that have infected hundreds of thousands of Mac owners worldwide.

macOS is “regularly exploited” and “is at a level that is not acceptable” to the company Federighi said.

iOS is much more secure than macOS, with only three kinds of malware infecting a small number of iPhone owners.

“For iOS, we aspired to create something far more secure. All indications are that we have succeeded in doing so.”

Craig Federighi

This security question is a critical point in Apple’s battle with Epic Games. In this case, Epic is arguing that Apple can and should apply its Mac software policies to iOS. On the Mac, users can install apps from a third-party source, while iOS users are strictly limited to the iOS app store.

This dispute began when Epic Games, in an update to its popular game Fortnite, introduced its own in-app payment system that bypassed Apple’s payment system. Apple promptly removed the game maker’s app from the iOS App Store, effectively removing it from the iOS platform.

This ban cost Epic Games to lose up to 60 percent of its Fortnite users, claims the game maker.