Then, Apple simply adds checking of DyLibs and other add-ons to OS X, and closes this hokey forever. Problem solved!
So, thanks to the black hat who brought this exploit to Apple's attention; so that they can take care of it.
WEll, not quite. Apple doesn't add essential security updates to pre Lion (10.7) systems. Since the rot set in after 10.6.8, many users are still on these OS versions simply because they're more accessible.. i.e. no new "improvements", and of course, many (like me) have just THOUSANDS of $ invested in software that is entirely obsoleted by 10.7 and up systems. These are developers that have either been bankrupted , or driven out of business, by the endless "improvements" in OSX (like the highly respected "Little Wing pinball", or Unsanity, creators of "Shapeshifter"), or they no longer supply updates to their OSX software. Using Snow Leopard, which is the last version to support the last 10 years worth of OSX software, exposes you to everyt malignant code for OSX in existence. Apple believes that the risk of infecting those user's computers with worms or trojans is good for the company's bottom line, somehow.... or what they are implying is that there is NO such malware after all...
As the owner of many PPC Macs, including a G5 tower that runs 10.5, (as well as "modern" Macs that can run Yosemite), and who has Mac consulting clients that still run 10.6.8'for the same reasons you mention (familiarity and software investment), I fully understand!
However, for at least the Intel Macs, there is a relatively inexpensive solution: Run 10.6 SEVER under virtualization.
So, for $69, you can purchase VMWare Fusion 7 (standard edition) direct from VMWare and then by CALLING Apple, for $19.95, you can (still) purchase the only version of OS X which is authorized by Apple for virtualization: MacOS X 10.6 Server Install Retail disc, part #0Z691-6495. So, for under $100, you can keep your Snow Leopard environment for your stuff that won't run on current versions of OS X, and still have a Mac that can enjoy security updates, newer features, etc.
Is it ideal? No. Do I wish Apple would support OS versions forever? You bet! However, it DOES provide a relatively inexpensive way to "bridge the Lion-gap", especially for those who have significant investments in pre-Lion software). Heck, you could even still run any PPC stuff under Rosetta!
So, how does this help with vulnerabilities? Simple. Like my friends who have both OS X and Windows on their Macs, you simply don't use your "vulnerable" OS to access the Internet. However, in the case of OS X, I'm not sure whether malware targeting new versions of OS X would have much luck running under Snow Leopard, anyway.
And as for having to use SL Server, I couldn't find a reasonable " guide" online to doing the same thing with a "client" version of 10.6.8, so I decided that using Server was a good enough solution.
And as for OS X being "ruined" in recent versions, I think that, if you start actually using newer versions, you'll find it is actually not nearly as "iOS-ified" or "ruined" as people would have you believe, and that the new features, such as vastly improved Multi-monitor support, Convergence, being able to do calls and texts from your Mac, etc, are really pretty damned nice!
