After they relaxed the rules a bit to allow the users to manipulate the computers to do certain activities online, Charlie Miller was able to crack the code in 2 minutes. The rules required that he was only able to manipulate the O.S. using only software and bugs that were built into the system.  Miller was a former NSA operative who is best known for cracking the Iphone.  For his efforts he won $10,000.  The contestants had to sign a nondisclosure agreement so he can't release what he did or how he cracked it.  Apple started patching their software right after the competition.PC owners have to take some relief that their Vista operating system wasn't the first to be hacked.

Many would have picked the Windows OS to be the first to be hacked and the Mac to be hacked last.  This points out a major reason why Apple has less infections and less attacks.  It is not because the machines are so much more well built, don't get me wrong, Mac makes Windows looks stupid, but why try to hack something that only 3 percent owns.  Windows OS are so much more mainstreamed that you can attack so many more people on PC than Mac.  At least now when Mac owners brag about their systems, Windows owners will have something to say.

 Source: Robert McMillan, IDG News Service