It'll be more interesting to see if dumb users get educated to the fact that having admin rights on a normal user account is not a good idea.
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Apple to Update Mac OS X to Remove 'Mac Defender' Malware
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Seems others have already torn apart your first comment, so I'll leave that one.
Apple has acknowledged and removed a few bugs like this. (See previous comments and screenshots already posted in this thread.)
In the "last couple of months" the only reports have been of Mac Defender. Different agencies are reporting it differently, but it's all the same thing. As for the firewall comment, do you understand what a firewall is? OS X comes with everything disabled by default. The average users does not want nor need the firewall enabled.
First off, the "no-PC viruses here" was made popular by the BSD/linux folks way before OS X. Apple picked up on that, since OS X is a variant of BSD. However, has others have said, Apple has always clearly specified that OS X is not effected by WINDOWS virus; it has always been said in a OS X vs. Windows context. Apple sometimes is a little slow releasing patches, (that whole having to understand the problem, writing code, testing code, quality checking code, seeding to the update servers thing that a commercial product must go through...)
Btw, how long was "PC Defender" out in the wild before one of the no cost Microsoft malware tools started catching and removing it? Oh wait, to this day it still does not.
I also think it's funny that all the Microsoft apologist are skipping over the whole issue that MS's tools are only free for legit home users. Pirated users, (the ones that are most likely to be the biggest infection target, and thus the biggest risk to the whole internet,) and business machines, (more likely to have existing decent anti-virus software, but still a much larger risk the global internet then home users,) are not permitted to use them.
Smart marketing/PR and smart business move.
If Apple wants to maintain that their computers are for "everybody" and "just work" - then the OS's ability to remove a threat - user generated or not - is a good move.
Fact is - Apple has marketed their OS as not being able to get a virus. And the general public - not the general MacRumors user - won't know the real differences between worms, malware and viruses. All the same to them. So if they are constantly told they can't get a "virus" and they get one - it can cause confusion and even anger at them being told they simply couldn't get it.
Now you can argue that the customer had to go through loops to INSTALL the malware. But the point is - if a customer is a) convinced they are invincible to virus AND are told they currently have one and believe there's software to get rid of it - they will keep clicking past the warnings. Social conditioning. How often do you read a EULA and just click on the "accept" ?
So in short (or long) - this was a good move. Period.
If Apple wants to maintain that their computers are for "everybody" and "just work" - then the OS's ability to remove a threat - user generated or not - is a good move.
Fact is - Apple has marketed their OS as not being able to get a virus. And the general public - not the general MacRumors user - won't know the real differences between worms, malware and viruses. All the same to them. So if they are constantly told they can't get a "virus" and they get one - it can cause confusion and even anger at them being told they simply couldn't get it.
Now you can argue that the customer had to go through loops to INSTALL the malware. But the point is - if a customer is a) convinced they are invincible to virus AND are told they currently have one and believe there's software to get rid of it - they will keep clicking past the warnings. Social conditioning. How often do you read a EULA and just click on the "accept" ?
So in short (or long) - this was a good move. Period.
As the manager of an IT department that supports ~100 Windows desktops, let me just say that rosy view of Windows users' awareness doesn't match my experience!
True, but I've seen a lot of home XP machines where the AV software was never renewed after the initial support period.
Which is, of course, precisely the OS behavior these fake AV trojans are copying to make them look real!
Which is why once Windows users have AV software in place, they have the same "bulletproof" mentality that you are ascribing to Mac users. "I don't have to worry, my AV software protects me from any harm."
There is no substitute for clueful users, regardless of OS. But clueful users are in the minority, at least, in my world-weary IT support view.
I agree with your summation. I would argue though that even though Windows users with AV software in place might feel somewhat bulletproof - it's on shaky/hopeful ground that the software holds up to the test, whereas Mac users believe it foolproof.
Too much history there for Windows systems. BTW - I am technology agnostic. I'm neither pro/anti Windows or Macs.
Hope this will be the only virus that a Mac will get because I am switching to a Mac within a month
To drive the point home... REALLY drive it home -- the ONLY malware you can presently get is malware YOU install. You must enter your admin password to install it, not just click "continue."
I've never used any sort of "anti-virus" software on a Mac and I've been to some seedy sites.
Wow. Are you serious?
This isn't "interfering with the consumer's programs and documents". This is removing/blocking malware, which no user would knowingly and intentionally install. This is a good thing, not a sign that Apple's turning into your evil uncle. Get a grip on yourself, dude.
jW
You should be.
You should be impressed. Microsoft is very proactive in issues like this and their malicious software removal tool does help a lot. Maybe Apple should consider doing something similar. Oh..wait....they just did I guess. Never mind...
You should be impressed. Microsoft is very proactive in issues like this and their malicious software removal tool does help a lot. Maybe Apple should consider doing something similar. Oh..wait....they just did I guess. Never mind...
Easy there killer, there are posters here that still think Apple invented the zipper
Everybody knows they invented sliced bread, -not the zipper...
Never burn a steak.
Flip after four minutes, then watch until the juices just start to run clear. Instant medium-rare. A master stroke
This is a master stroke on the part of Apple that will cement it's high customer satisfaction rating. Microsoft seems to have a we-don't-give-a-***** attitude towards malware and viruses, preferring to off-load the task to third party companies that charge annual fees for the privilege of cleaning up your system. Apple is not only doing it for free but also doing it themselves. Well done!
This is a master stroke on the part of Apple that will cement it's high customer satisfaction rating. Microsoft seems to have a we-don't-give-a-***** attitude towards malware and viruses, preferring to off-load the task to third party companies that charge annual fees for the privilege of cleaning up your system. Apple is not only doing it for free but also doing it themselves. Well done!
Yep...
Yep...most viruses and malware is written / introduced by the Anti-Virus companies. Everyone knows that. Gotta increase the demand for their products you know.
Yep...most viruses and malware is written / introduced by the Anti-Virus companies. Everyone knows that. Gotta increase the demand for their products you know.
It does not shock me that malware for MacOS starts showing up more and more. After all those are only apps tricking the user into installing them. (As mentioned by others before: NOT a virus, does not replicate - only tricks the user into installing them).
What really shocks me is how many users type in their password when an installer pops up unexpected ...
What really shocks me is how many users type in their password when an installer pops up unexpected ...
Clearly this is a mistake? There is no way my apple labtop can get a virus. The guy at the mac store and everyone I talk to says they're incapable of getting a virus. They must be talking about Microsoft, you get a virus for just turning those hunks of junks on i hear.
This is funny
A hefty percentage of former PC users switched to Mac because they were too ignorant (would have said stupid but thats too harsh) to learn how to maintain their PC and learn the rules. They did silly things like install 2 different anti virus programs or play flash games, click on the pop ups, etc.etc.
Now where do they run to?
A hefty percentage of former PC users switched to Mac because they were too ignorant (would have said stupid but thats too harsh) to learn how to maintain their PC and learn the rules. They did silly things like install 2 different anti virus programs or play flash games, click on the pop ups, etc.etc.
Now where do they run to?
Nice to see the security folks at Apple getting a bit of work thrown their way once in awhile.
Image
They have a lot of work thrown at them. They instead chose to sweep a lot of it under the rug. Just because they are releasing a patch for this weeks later (Microsoft has patch Tuesday) doesn't mean they aren't busy. Lets remember how long it has taken Apple in the past to patch serious security holes. Apple does not take security seriously.
Guess what: MacDefender is not a virus ... so guess the guys at the Apple Store were right for now (assuming you meant Apple Store when you said mac store)
This is funny
A hefty percentage of former PC users switched to Mac because they were too ignorant (would have said stupid but thats too harsh) to learn how to maintain their PC and learn the rules. They did silly things like install 2 different anti virus programs or play flash games, click on the pop ups, etc.etc.
Now where do they run to?
Reminds me of my neighbor who asked be took check out his machine because it was so insanely slow ... turned out he had three (3!) anti virus applications installed because he was so scared to get a virus and the machine was so busy with scanning itself that everything else got crawling slow (I removed two of the anti virus apps and the machine was working fine again).
O well, nobody can protect computers from the wrong doings of users .... no matter which OS, the user can always manage to bring a good machine down.