Apple Buys AuthenTec, Mobile Security Technology Developer

For a long time, Apple's operating systems had been considered very safe, the safest even, but that was only because hackers and other ill-meaning people focused on Windows. Apparently, Apple has been given enough reason to get serious in terms of security.

It was just the other day that we wrote about the Windows-hating malware that was spread through Apple's App Store.

That wasn't really something capable of actually scaring Apple though, or putting it at least slightly on edge.

Instead, what has got under Apple's skin is the increasing frequency of malware that does, in fact, target and damage iOS / Mac OS devices.

Fortunately, the Cupertino, California-based company is determined to nip this problem in the bud.

We believe it unlikely that Apple will manage to keep its software better guarded against viruses and the like than Microsoft's Windows has, thus far, but whether or not it is successful remains to be seen.

If nothing else, Apple has begun gathering security experts and related IP. Its latest move was the acquisition of AuthenTec.

AuthernTec deals in safe streaming solutions, fingerprint scanning (mac OS already uses such things), networking and authentication security, etc. Among its customers there are Sky, Texas Instruments, Nokia, Orange, Motorola, Fujitsu, HBO, HP, Lenovo, Cisco, Alcatel-Lucent and Samsung.

We'll be especially interested in seeing if Apple allows the firm to continue honoring its deals, especially the one with Samsung.

Probably not, though it might be hard to renege on that fairly recent VPN agreement for Samsung's Android devices.

“AuthenTec's award-winning smart fingerprint sensors provide multiple touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication to include convenience, personalization and touch control,” the company says on its fact sheet.

“The Company's TouchChip area fingerprint sensors and modules comply with government and industry standards and offer the ruggedness, strong security and ease of integration needed for quick and broad deployment. TouchChip sensors dramatically lower the size, cost and power of fingerprint sensors versus optical-based fingerprint solutions.”