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Common Windows Malware Can Now Infect Macs
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Subscription plans for malware serves. Seriously, everything is a subscription now, this is the real issue!
Isnt that already the case? Im not 100% sure but when you do a clean install, in Settings>Security the "Allow apps from" option has only "AppStore" checked instead of "AppStore and identified developers".
Also if Cindy and Todd are that simple that only use the App Store they wouldnt encounter this problems as they won't go downloading .dmg from Internet and If they do, just use a bit of common sense and check that is the official website. If we let Apple do everything they will just lock our devices
Of course! MacDownloader, Safari-get, Word macro viruses, and OSX/Pirrit. Also, a virus is a form of malware.
Checked in my Big Sur and Mojave installation, nothing suspicious in either. Thanks for the tip.
Malware falls under the "virus" umbrella. Similar to how bronchitis, emphysema etal fall under the "COPD" umbrella. I run a antt-virus, you don't see the need. Different strokes for different folks.
Are they? Stolen dev certs allow malicious apps to bypass Gatekeeper. Happens a lot more than you think.
Sure, Apple can revoke the cert, but that doesn't fix infected systems.
Being complacent is how one gets infected, be it a trojan, malware, or a virus.
A good article for the overly complacent Mac user.
Do Macs need antivirus software?
Wondering if you need antivirus for Mac? Macs can get viruses and there are protections in macOS to keep you safe - but it's wise to extend the protection.
www.macworld.co.uk
At least the bad guys have to subscribe to Malware 365.
Anyone figure out what the "Autorun" thing is from the end of the article?
Other way around with viruses falling under malware, but yes.
Autorun = "Login Items" in a user's profile.
Open Settings and go to Users & Groups. Find your profile and select the "Login items" tab.
Being fairly new to Macs I too was a little confused by "Apple's Autorun...". Makes it sound like it's a terminal utility or something. But is he saying just check all the folders that house autorun commands including Users and Groups login items?
I believe it is talking about the 'Library/LaunchAgents' and '~/Library/LaunchAgents' folders.
MacOS' Autorun? What does that even mean?
I hate it when articles about security is not giving proper details.
I hate it when articles about security is not giving proper details.
To get to that launch agents folder, click your Desktop to bring focus to the Finder. Then hit shift-command-g keys (all three at once) and you will get the popup window below. Paste in
~/Library/LaunchAgents/ and hit return and you be taken to the users launch agents folder.
XLoader malware infects Macs; collects keystrokes and more - 9to5Mac
XLoader malware has now migrated from Windows machines to attack Macs too. An evolution of the malware known as Formbook, it lets ...
9to5mac.com
The 9to5 article says it is the users folder.
That's just one of the ways to run something at login. The other is via Login items. Most users never look at this either.
Agreed, but I'd also check the other in case a malware has obtained elevated permissions. Obviously the user shouldn't go deleting everything they think is suspicious. Do the due diligence and check authenticity prior to deletion.XLoader malware infects Macs; collects keystrokes and more - 9to5Mac
XLoader malware has now migrated from Windows machines to attack Macs too. An evolution of the malware known as Formbook, it lets ...
The 9to5 article says it is the users folder.
If you have an app that needs to run either itself or some background process at startup, the app installer will often put a .plist file in that folder telling the OS to launch that process at boot time.
And LaunchAgents/Demon in user and macOS Library
I do this regularly anyway (plus /Library/LaunchDaemons and /Library/LaunchAgents). A lot of "legitimate" companies load crap in there as well - much of it pointless, yet still slowing down your computer.
Yes, absolutely, the greed factor is in play. Users get an offer of something of value for free (movie, app, music, etc) and the greedy ones click away and get pwned. Torrents have been the main source of malware for decades. You pirate a movie, music, app only to find out it’s loaded with malware.
But, lots of folks in USA spends thousands buying themselves to an operating system prison just like that, literally allowing Apple to do everything on their devices.