"I don't think it's fair to say that Linux and Mac OS X are more secure than Windows, but I do think it's reasonable to claim that they're safer because of the much smaller number of attacks that target the platforms," said Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant with security specialists Sophos. "It's a bit like deciding where to go on holiday – Baghdad or Bournemouth? You can come to a sticky end in either, but I know where I would rather be to reduce my chances.