How do I know if my macbook is infected with a trojan or anything else infectious? I have been to some porn sites but none asked me for password or anything.
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Trojan/Virus
- Thread starter longball11
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of course he does, everybody should be cautious.
I dont know if OP's machine is infected, but the biggest problem now with mac is that users dont know what to do in facing a possible security problem (especially the trojan horses are apparent floating around still). I would urge you to send a feedback to apple.
And, as OP asked, most mac users don't even know how to determine if they are infected, me included. Do you have an answer for that?
At the same time, some people mentioned some 3rd party solutions such as MacScan which I have no idea about its reliability, and its not free. ClamAV is another one, which IS free, but I dont know how good it protect against mac specific viruses/trojans/worms, etc
I dont know if OP's machine is infected, but the biggest problem now with mac is that users dont know what to do in facing a possible security problem (especially the trojan horses are apparent floating around still). I would urge you to send a feedback to apple.
And, as OP asked, most mac users don't even know how to determine if they are infected, me included. Do you have an answer for that?
At the same time, some people mentioned some 3rd party solutions such as MacScan which I have no idea about its reliability, and its not free. ClamAV is another one, which IS free, but I dont know how good it protect against mac specific viruses/trojans/worms, etc
Clevin is correct. While there are no Mac viruses in the wild right now, that situation could change at any time. Until then, the best advice is be fully aware of what you download and launch, particularly if it prompts an authentication alert.
There is an auto download security hole in safari, I expect it to be fixed by now, since it was reported a year ago, can somebody confirm this?
Ha, well stated. As for the OP's question, it is unknown on what the symptoms of an infected Mac might be. As for visiting pron sites there are no known viruses that can automatically install and run (though I'm sure someone will try and correct me on this).
Anti-virus is still completely unnecessary, but the use of Little Snitch would be capable of raising awareness of any network activity that you are unaware of.
Well if porn sites meant getting a computer virus than at least 1/3 of Mac Users would have infected computers. Same with the other 2/3 of users whom lie about visiting these sites.
From what I have seen in posts and news. Unless you are pirating software there is not a need to worry on the Mac... so far.
From what I have seen in posts and news. Unless you are pirating software there is not a need to worry on the Mac... so far.
THERE ARE NO VIRUSES on OSX.
Giz Explains: Why OS X Shrugs Off Viruses Better Than Windows
http://i.gizmodo.com/5101337/giz-explains-why-os-x-shrugs-off-viruses-better-than-windows
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
The Unavoidable Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/...-apple-wont-inherit-microsofts-malware-crown/
Giz Explains: Why OS X Shrugs Off Viruses Better Than Windows
http://i.gizmodo.com/5101337/giz-explains-why-os-x-shrugs-off-viruses-better-than-windows
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
The Unavoidable Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/...-apple-wont-inherit-microsofts-malware-crown/
just make sure to wipe down that unibody after, and i don't think anyone will be getting any viruses on or from that computer
Are you talking about how when you download a DMG, Safari auto-mounts the DMG for you?
What exactly do you want, clevin? Just like with Windows, there are third-party "security tools" out there for Macs, easily findable (you even mention two in your quote). Some may be good, some may be not so good. Again, just like in the Windows world, you're going to need to do some research and figure out which security tool best meets your needs.
It's hard to think that in this day and age, that even the most uneducated Mac user won't have enough common sense to Google "mac antivirus" if they thought they had a problem. And you know what? The first page of hits that Google returns has enough relevant links to help that person out.
What about these Trojans?
I have downloaded ClamAv and it has found the following on my Mac:
Trojan.Downloader-26909
Trojan.Downloader-33020
Trojan.Agent-66047
Trojan.Zlob-2179
Trojan.Downloader.Zlob-1553
Trojan.Downloader-25584
Now I've read elsewhere that this are PC viruses and can't hurt my Mac, but all the same, I do NOT want them on my machine. Can anyone help me by telling me how I can clear these out? Is it just a matter of deleting them? My machine's running a tad slower (lots on it), but it's not running poorly, so I can't say confidently one way or the other as to the effect these Trojans are having, but again, I'd like them gone.
Thanks in advance everyone!
I have downloaded ClamAv and it has found the following on my Mac:
Trojan.Downloader-26909
Trojan.Downloader-33020
Trojan.Agent-66047
Trojan.Zlob-2179
Trojan.Downloader.Zlob-1553
Trojan.Downloader-25584
Now I've read elsewhere that this are PC viruses and can't hurt my Mac, but all the same, I do NOT want them on my machine. Can anyone help me by telling me how I can clear these out? Is it just a matter of deleting them? My machine's running a tad slower (lots on it), but it's not running poorly, so I can't say confidently one way or the other as to the effect these Trojans are having, but again, I'd like them gone.
Thanks in advance everyone!
Yes, the FAQ for ClamXAv says "Should any infected files be found, they'll appear in the "Report" region of the main window. What you do with them after that is entirely up to you!".
Not unless you actively install them, which involves entering your admin password.
Other than taking up a small amount of disk space, they are having zero effect on your Mac because Windows programs (like those trojans) simply cannot execute on a Mac. You can simply delete them.
But what if...
...you installed something and don't remember doing so. How would you find where it is and what then?
To my knowledge, this is a hypothetical for me, but I've downloaded stuff and don't remember every instance and what it was. I'd rather be safe with the health of my Mac, than sorry.
Thanks again.
...you installed something and don't remember doing so. How would you find where it is and what then?
To my knowledge, this is a hypothetical for me, but I've downloaded stuff and don't remember every instance and what it was. I'd rather be safe with the health of my Mac, than sorry.
Thanks again.
The existing trojans that are in the wild put items in the system/library/startupitems folder. You can use Activity Monitor to bring up all the processes running on your Mac, and google anything unfamiliar to find out what it is (there are lots of oddly-named Unix-y processes that you need to get familiar with).
Just to be clear -- you're wrong. There are Trojans for Mac OS X. There aren't (at the moment) any self-propagating viruses, but that doesn't mean there isn't malicious software out there for OS X.
To the OP: I'd recommend the following:
1) Stop using Safari. Its security track record is less than stellar.
2) Use Firefox.
3) Corollary to the above: install and use NoScript. It does wonders not only for your browsing speed but also for your security.
4) Don't download anything from sites you don't trust.
5) Never run anything and NEVER give your admin password to anything unless you're absolutely, 100% sure what it is and what it does. Yes, this includes that legitimate looking pirated piece of Apple software...
Firefox is no more secure than Safari. I've used both and have never had a single security issue with either.
Security really needs to be addressed by Apple, even if for no other reason piece of mind from Mac users.
I feel the reason they have not implemented any software/device for searching for viruses/malware is because
1. There are no serious threats for Mac users
2. and the Biggest reason IMO is if Apple were to implement some sort of device to look for viruses anti-Mac folks could use this as "see there are security threats for Macs" detracting from one of Apple's Ace's...in other words Apple's vanity
Something to remember is that most everything out there malicious is of no consequence and worry for us Mac users, however I would venture a guess that most all of us interact with PC users through email and file sharing, which is a concern for eliminating malicious software before passing it on to friends, family and/or co workers who will be affected.
I feel the reason they have not implemented any software/device for searching for viruses/malware is because
1. There are no serious threats for Mac users
2. and the Biggest reason IMO is if Apple were to implement some sort of device to look for viruses anti-Mac folks could use this as "see there are security threats for Macs" detracting from one of Apple's Ace's...in other words Apple's vanity
Something to remember is that most everything out there malicious is of no consequence and worry for us Mac users, however I would venture a guess that most all of us interact with PC users through email and file sharing, which is a concern for eliminating malicious software before passing it on to friends, family and/or co workers who will be affected.
Firefox's track record is a lot better w/ regards to patch speed.
Also, Safari has a couple of nasty habits that can reduce security: things like automatically opening downloaded files, allowing Javascript to manipulate window attributes, etc.
I've never had a security issue with Safari either, but that doesn't mean that it's secure. I've never had a security issue with any software I've used (and that includes Windows) -- but a large part of that is because I am extraordinarily cautious...
---
Edit:
Also, to continue my point re: Safari -- there is at least one one unpatched hole in Safari that's been open for over a year with absolutely no response from Apple.
The most recent hole in Firefox was patched in less than 48 hours.