Intel-based Macs: Elimination of Classic an inadvertent security measure

While users continue to lament the inability of Intel-based Macs to make use of the Classic environment for running Mac OS 9-and earlier applications, it should be noted that the lack of Classic support is actually an inadvertent security boon.

Several Mac OS X security guides recommend that users remove any OS 9 system folders and the "Classic" System Preference panel from your Macintosh because Classic applications may not adhere to the stringent security measures available in Mac OS X, allowing the user to delete potentially important files or providing unauthorized users access to otherwise protected information.

The gradual inability to boot from a Mac OS 9 volume (also enacted on recent PowerPC-based Macs) also provides a measure of security, because if your Mac is started up from an OS 9 (Classic) System Folder, there is no protection or security at all for the OS X files in the same disk partition.

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