That was added in 10.5, but the quarantine feature was enhanced in 10.6. But yes, Apple can and probably will update the list with this new piece of spyware.
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Antivirus Firm Warns of New Mac OS X Spyware Application
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That was added in 10.5, but the quarantine feature was enhanced in 10.6. But yes, Apple can and probably will update the list with this new piece of spyware.
Yea, downloading screensavers feels like one of those Clip Art, Printshop Deluxe things.
Similar here except I usually have my computer running background tasks so I just turn off my screens if I'm not around.
I'd like to point out to all those saying their Macs are secure that in the security industry the people who think they are invulnerable are the most susceptible to attack. Hell, all good security companies plan to fail which is why intrusion detection software exists.
A good permissions structure and good habits on your computer usage can still be circumvented by exploiting software with a security hole (Flash seems to be Steve's whipping boy on that one!), or sneaking something into legitimate looking files or software such as this current report.
Unless your system is utterly bogged down really most people should at least be running free antivirus just in case. I actually have VirusBarrier X6 and it's pretty good, barely notice it in the background but it does its job well, I just wish they'd figure out a way to do in-placeu updates as it asks to restart the computer about once a month which I hate.
Do you even know what you're talking about? Do you know the difference between virus and spyware? If you're still in school, take a class on Info Sec and come back later. Geesh!
nope OSX is actually less secure by architecture/design than any modern windows system.
google is your friend.
Most non kool aid sites accept this..
*whisper*
Apples marketing is mostly lies
like lots of other companies.
The sad thing is that newbies don't know the difference between virus and spyware.
I disagree, a virus for Mac OS X would be extremely profitable. Yes, the percentage of Mac OS X users is minimal, when compared to the windows OS user base, but due to the fact that mac users are so confident in the fact that they are virus free, they don't have an antivirus on their computer! This is a virus maker's dream, the OS might have a small user base, but it is UNPROTECTED. But it begs the questioning, why hasn't anyone accomplished this, surely someone, somewhere should have set his sights on not only attacking Mac OS X, but also prettifying all of the Mac OS X users who claim "we don't get viruses" in the process? The answer is simple, the OS is just more secure.
If I were to make viruses, and I saw one of those dumb mac vs. pc commercials where the mac guy would say "buy me and you won't get viruses anymore, because we are immune to viruses", what is the first thing I, as a hacker, would do? I'd get up from my couch and make me a very nice mac virus, just to shut apple up! But have there been viruses since the airing of those annoying commercials, no. The closest things we've had are these spam-ware pests which need us to (stupidly) give them authorization to install!
The argument that Mac don't get viruses because of their small user base is just plain false. And that Alaska air conditioner analogy not only sucked, it was irrelevant, there is a market for hacking Macs, just as there is a market for making mac applications. Think about it. Why are there mac only applications when they can just make a windows application with a much larger user base? Because in marketing you learn that sometimes having a smaller demographic can get you more profit, and a bigger demographic doesn't necessarily get you more sales.
I'm overloaded by how wrong this post is....
..can't.....respond.....
The sad thing is that newbies don't know the difference between virus and spyware.
Billions?
Hmmm..worldwide OSX marketshare is less than 5%.
the editorial specifically mentions 'backdoor', so if there is a network connection then nothing stops it being a BOT.
most of you seem to be under the impression that there are still legitimate windows viruses out there. nobody is really bothering to write viruses anymore. they write trojans and worms that exploit vulnerabilities on older web browsers or email clients. and by that i mean grandma running Windows ME with outlook 2.0 and IE 4. Of course they are going to get a virus.
for all practical intents and purposes, when someone in windows land says they got a virus, they are talking about either a trojan or some kind of malware. not an actual virus. this has been true since before macs were running on intel processors. try to keep up, would you?
for all practical intents and purposes, when someone in windows land says they got a virus, they are talking about either a trojan or some kind of malware. not an actual virus. this has been true since before macs were running on intel processors. try to keep up, would you?
Could you please stop spreading such BS. Spyware isn’t much better to viruses and trying to make oneself feel better by thinking that is just stupid. This thread is probably already full of the yes-no-yes-no BS. Fanboys saying OS X is free of viruses and some braving to say otherwise. So I’ll just leave it at this…
PS. Let’s just add for clarity that I’m not suggesting notjustjay to be a fanboy, or not, but just referring to such as a reply to the comments.
I'm sure someone academically bright would be able to figure it out by themselves.
Another trojan—good to know—but still no viruses/worms able to spread themselves (that’s a KEY distinction).
I guess I’ll just say No when any trojans ask to install “market research add-ons.” I will not be paying money to any company trying to make me afraid for profit
Of course my favorite thing about Mac security is all the time/grief I don’t have to spend, which my Windows expert friends have to (and STILL get infected). That’s my time AND the constant updating time—and zillion popup notifications—for the machine. (Just ask my Windows box.)
Keeping eye on the one or two minor alerts a year (thank to MacRumors RSS) is all the security time I have to waste
I guess I’ll just say No when any trojans ask to install “market research add-ons.” I will not be paying money to any company trying to make me afraid for profit
Of course my favorite thing about Mac security is all the time/grief I don’t have to spend, which my Windows expert friends have to (and STILL get infected). That’s my time AND the constant updating time—and zillion popup notifications—for the machine. (Just ask my Windows box.)
Keeping eye on the one or two minor alerts a year (thank to MacRumors RSS) is all the security time I have to waste
Just what I expected. You made the claim, now post the facts. If you know them, giving a list of just 10 reasons shouldn't be that difficult.
I suppose you would rather make claims and tell people to "google" them.
Billions?
Hmmm..worldwide OSX marketshare is less than 5%.
I said "when" OS X is used by billions, not that it has already happened. In other words all thise people who aren't reading this thread before parroting the line that OS X won't be so secure when a lot more people use it are repeating a malicious lie that the tech press pushes upon its gullible readers. So my point is that even if OS X were used by billions someday, it will still have a smaller virus threat than Windows will many years and versions from now.
Mac: Hello, I'm a Mac.
PC: And I'm a PC. ACHOO! ACHOO! ACHOO!
Mac: You okay?
PC: No, I'm not okay. I have that virus that's going around. In fact, you'd better stay back. This one is nasty.
Mac: Nah, nah, I'll be fine.
PC: Do not be a hero. Last year there were 114,000 know virus's for PC's.
Mac: For PC's. Not for Mac. There are no virus's for Mac's.
PC: Yes there is now!
Mac: Oh. Dammit, I knew this day would come.
PC: Aha!
Mac & PC: I think I'm gonna crash.
PC: And I'm a PC. ACHOO! ACHOO! ACHOO!
Mac: You okay?
PC: No, I'm not okay. I have that virus that's going around. In fact, you'd better stay back. This one is nasty.
Mac: Nah, nah, I'll be fine.
PC: Do not be a hero. Last year there were 114,000 know virus's for PC's.
Mac: For PC's. Not for Mac. There are no virus's for Mac's.
PC: Yes there is now!
Mac: Oh. Dammit, I knew this day would come.
PC: Aha!
Mac & PC: I think I'm gonna crash.
Yes & No....
True virii are still being created. The issue is that the commercial malware developers have found it is easier to trick all the "new idiots" (basically 90% of all modern computer users as they are not technically inclined and rather gullible) into willingly install malware. True virii have tended to stay in the underground sub-culture.
True virii are still being created. The issue is that the commercial malware developers have found it is easier to trick all the "new idiots" (basically 90% of all modern computer users as they are not technically inclined and rather gullible) into willingly install malware. True virii have tended to stay in the underground sub-culture.
On the one hand, Intego is known for regularly making announcements of malicious activity that their product prevents ...
On the other hand, I used to have a version of Intego Antivirus for Mac, which I bought years ago, and, compared to my Windows scanner, it seemed effective -- but only ever found Windows-type malware ...
On the third hand, they are pretty pricey, and do not offer much of a renewal discount. (so after one renewal cycle, and no actual Mac-specific malware ever detected, I declined to send any more of my money to them.)
ahhh, what to do ...
Well said. If they say they got a virus, its because the fake anti-virus spyware just told them they have new infections and must pay $30 to activate the software.
Love your thoroughness. Should I even ask you to elaborate and, oh, um, maybe make a few points per quotation rather than quoting the entire post and retorting with a run-on sentence?