Apple Quickly Updates Malware Definitions to Detect New SMS Scam Trojan

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, Russian security firm Dr. Web published a blog post announcing the discovery of a new OS X trojan horse known as "Trojan.SMSSend.3666". The malware masquerades as an installer for various software titles, but tricks users into signing up for subscriptions through their mobile devices.

When a user starts such an installer, they see the interface that imitates the installation wizard of a corresponding application. In order to continue the "installation" fraudsters ask that the victim enter their cellphone number into an appropriate field and then specify the code found in a reply SMS. By performing these actions the user agrees to terms of a chargeable subscription and a fee will be debited from their mobile phone account on a regular basis.

Similar trojans have affected Windows and even Android platforms for some time, but the tactic is now being used to target Mac users.

Apple has moved quickly to address the threat, adding definitions for the malware to its "Xprotect.plist" blacklist, which is part of the basic anti-malware tools Apple launched with OS X Snow Leopard in 2009. In its original incarnation, users were required to update definitions manually, but as malware threats against OS X grew, Apple last year instituted automatic daily checks to keep users' systems updated. The anti-malware tools automatically detect when a user has downloaded a file matching the signature of known malware, alerting the user of the threat and advising them to discard the downloaded file.

Article Link: Apple Quickly Updates Malware Definitions to Detect New SMS Scam Trojan

[Joe-Diver]

Gotta keep on top of it.

[Simplicated]

So did this Trojan manage to bypass Gatekeeper?

[LimeiBook86]

Glad to see Apple keeping things up to date. I haven't heard of this scam but it sure seems like it could be quite dangerous!

[Sony311]

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL. Welcome to reality. Hopefully Apple can keep up with the variations that are no doubt going to be roaming out in the wild based on this.

[spyguy10709]

Again, like I always say, the only virus you can get on OSX is one you install yourself. This just prevents the user from hurting him/herself. This isn't a "virus" like everyone is saying - it's a program that phishes your personal info. It can't escalate itself privelidge-wise like with a Windows virus and become "above" your system to prevent removal or uninstallation. Nothing can do that in OSX due to it's unix base.

Also, great job Apple for staying so on top of this

[mw360]

I don't understand how these scams can operate without the perps being instantly tracked down and thrown in a cell. Surely somebody regulates who is and isn't allowed to charge for sending SMS messages.

[ArtOfWarfare]

Nicely handled, it would seem.

But really, it seems to me this is an issue phone service providers should handle. Why is the money that they handle handled so insecurely? Shouldn't our provider send us some sort of message for us to confirm that some company is going to start leaching money via our phone bill and shouldn't they block companies that they find frequently commit this kind of fraud?

[spyguy10709]

Originally Posted by Simplicated

So did this Trojan manage to bypass Gatekeeper?

No it doesn't. You have to put in your password into the warning that says "this application isn't approved by apple and may cause unintended operation" or something like that.

[jwsmiths]

Originally Posted by Simplicated

So did this Trojan manage to bypass Gatekeeper?

They must be using some other installer that some legitimate companies have used... But this does seem like something gatekeeper should be able to stop if that isn't the case!

[spyguy10709]

Originally Posted by Sony311

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL. Welcome to reality. Hopefully Apple can keep up with the variations that are no doubt going to be roaming out in the wild based on this.

LOL welcome to reality - this isn't a virus at all. It's a fake installer that asks for your cell phone number. It's not an infection - it's a poor phishing attempt.

[mw360]

Originally Posted by Sony311

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL. Welcome to reality. Hopefully Apple can keep up with the variations that are no doubt going to be roaming out in the wild based on this.

From wikipedia:

A computer virus is a computer program that can replicate itself[1] and spread from one computer to another.

Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge.

This is neither. Its a plain old scam.

[D-a-a-n]

Originally Posted by spyguy10709

Again, like I always say, the only virus you can get on OSX is one you install yourself. This just prevents the user from hurting him/herself. This isn't a "virus" like everyone is saying - it's a program that phishes your personal info. It can't escalate itself privelidge-wise like with a Windows virus and become "above" your system to prevent removal or uninstallation. Nothing can do that in OSX due to it's unix base.

Also, great job Apple for staying so on top of this

Could you elaborate more on that?

[macs4nw]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

.....Apple has moved quickly to address the threat, adding definitions for the malware to its "Xprotect.plist" blacklist, which is part of the basic anti-malware tools Apple launched with OS X Snow Leopard in 2009.

Article Link: Apple Quickly Updates Malware Definitions to Detect New SMS Scam Trojan

Always glad to read those eight words.

[Joe-Diver]

Originally Posted by Sony311

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL.

LOL....please learn what a virus is.....and take a look at file permissions (UID/GID)....then maybe you'll understand what is actually happening here.

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by Sony311

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL. Welcome to reality. Hopefully Apple can keep up with the variations that are no doubt going to be roaming out in the wild based on this.

Since this application is neither a virus nor spyware I'd say people are quite right.

[PowerPCMacMan]

In the PowerPC days, viruses and malware in OSX was unheard of. While I agree the move from PPC was a much needed one, the switch to Intel meant trouble ahead for OS X on x86 hardware. Now Apple is getting viruses and malware. Terrible if u ask me.

Originally Posted by Sony311

And people always defended OSX for being virus/spyware free... LOL. Welcome to reality. Hopefully Apple can keep up with the variations that are no doubt going to be roaming out in the wild based on this.

[jessica.]

Oh I send unwanted texts to people all of the time. What's the big deal?

[DeathChill]

Originally Posted by spyguy10709

No it doesn't. You have to put in your password into the warning that says "this application isn't approved by apple and may cause unintended operation" or something like that.

I don't think it gives you any option to open it if Gatekeeper is active. You can right click it and hit 'Open' or turn off Gatekeeper but I don't think it gives you an option to run it as most people would click okay anyways.

[0815]

Somehow I am not worried about this 'Trojan'

Anything that requires me launching an installer and than requiring me to type in my password and cell phone number is not scary at all - its a lame phishing attempt that I laugh about.

I would be worried if it installs automatically in the background and than accesses my address book to get my cell phone number - but even than I would not respond to that SMS to get charged money.

Honestly, I don't get the people that did type in their cell phone number - it is almost impossible to protect those people from their own stupidity.

Anyway, glad to see that Apple is trying to protect people from their own stupidity.

[spyguy10709]

Originally Posted by D-a-a-n

Originally Posted by spyguy10709
Again, like I always say, the only virus you can get on OSX is one you install yourself. This just prevents the user from hurting him/herself. This isn't a "virus" like everyone is saying - it's a program that phishes your personal info. It can't escalate itself privelidge-wise like with a Windows virus and become "above" your system to prevent removal or uninstallation. Nothing can do that in OSX due to it's unix base.

Also, great job Apple for staying so on top of this


Could you elaborate more on that?

Sure- to install something in OS X (that does anything without you clicking the icon, like a service or anything like that) requires you to put your password in a box that prevents privilege escalation (basically the OS has complete control over all applications, not the other way around - a virus). If you don't have a password, you just leave the box blank. A program can't put a password into the system, only the user into the system. This prevents programs from replicating (a virus) or taking over the system (like many trojans).

[mw360]

Originally Posted by PowerPCMacMan

In the PowerPC days, viruses and malware in OSX was unheard of. While I agree the move from PPC was a much needed one, the switch to Intel meant trouble ahead for OS X on x86 hardware. Now Apple is getting viruses and malware. Terrible if u ask me.

How'd you explain Android malware, or iOS malware then? It's really not the CPU that's vulnerable, is the OS. And by the way, OSX, Windows 7/8, and Android aren't even that vulnerable now, it's the users that are the weak link in the chain.

[rrahimi]

Originally Posted by spyguy10709

Again, like I always say, the only virus you can get on OSX is one you install yourself. This just prevents the user from hurting him/herself. This isn't a "virus" like everyone is saying - it's a program that phishes your personal info. It can't escalate itself privelidge-wise like with a Windows virus and become "above" your system to prevent removal or uninstallation. Nothing can do that in OSX due to it's unix base.

Also, great job Apple for staying so on top of this

And again, you are wrong about Windows. Or maybe you are stuck in a time loop about a decade ago.

Nothing can "escalate itself privelidge-wise [sic]" in Windows either. You have to have the permissions and even then explicitly allow extended "privelidges" [sic]. Unless someone is a dolt and disables all the default security that exists in Windows.

[spyguy10709]

Originally Posted by 0815

Somehow I am not worried about this 'Trojan'

Anything that requires me launching an installer and than requiring me to type in my cell phone number is not scary at all.

I would be worried if it installs automatically in the background and than accesses my address book to get my cell phone number - but even than I would not respond to that SMS to get charged money.

Honestly, I don't get the people that did type in there cell phone number - it is almost impossible to protect those people from their own stupidity.

It charges you like those "insert your phone number here for unlimited ringtones!! *$9.99 per month" websites.

[iGrip]

This is NOT a real trojan. Apple has zero malware. People seem to forget that.