News ‘Flashback’ trojan virus found to affect 600,000 Macs

[IronRain]

‘Flashback’ trojan virus found to affect 600,000 Macs

The idea that Macs don’t get viruses is now officially a thing of the past. Of course Mac malware has been around for years, but now a massive botnet has been discovered that takes this relatively small issue and makes it a widespread problem. While hackers indeed target Windows PCs far more frequently, a trojan horse virus discovered earlier this year has reportedly now been found to affect more that half a million Mac computers worldwide. Russian anti-virus vendor Dr. Web has discovered that malware called “BackDoor.Flashback.39″ is currently present on at least 600,000 Macs. The trojan has the capability to use a java vulnerability to intercept passwords and other private data, and then transmit the information back to the person or group that deployed it. Apple has since patched the vulnerability, but security experts at F-Secure have published a simple guide to help Mac users determine whether or not they are infected, and then remove any malicious files from their computers that are tied to the Flashback trojan. A link to F-Secure’s guide can be found below.

Removal guide: http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojan-downloader_osx_flashback_i.shtml

Dr. Web: http://news.drweb.com/show/?i=2341

 

[NovaSilisko]

 

[Keatah]

Well it's about time! I say this out of frustration and not out of folks losing data or getting a corrupt system.

Just that I'm tired of the smugness and excessive self-assured attitude I have to deal with all the time when recommending systems. I can now say with good solid honesty no system is really ever secure.

What makes this a bad problem is what I just said. It's like the Titanic. The unsinkable ship. No one expects it. And that in and of itself has helped allow it occur in the first place. Furthermore "no one" knows how to deal with it. It's such a surprise. That's extreme talking, but you get the gist of it. Right?

Will this incident damage the ecosphere of Mac? Probably not. Does it tarnish their image, you betcha! Is it a good thing? Yes. Now folks will have to be on guard a little more - as they should be!

A little playground bullying and fighting never hurt anyone.

And remember folks, back-up yo'kemputa!

 

[this is an old account]

(removed)

 

[Ark]

Good, I'm sick of the smug "Macs don't get viruses" attitude that Apple packages with every product they sell. The only reason Windows had it worse is because Apple's market share was so tiny and worthless that it wasn't worth writing viruses for.

 

[this is an old account]

(removed)

 

[Tommy]

I've always thought that it made good sense to target Macs, even though they aren't as popular. Mac user's think they are immune, so they pay almost no attention to security - don't even have Anti-Virus at all.

There may not be as many Macs, but an infection seems far more likely to go undetected simply because so few people are looking.

Now I gotta go check my Mom's Mac!

 

[Rtyh-12]

Actually, I don't think they said that they don't get viruses... They said they don't get Windows viruses, which is obviously true.

I hate marketing.

 

[flyer]

...I'm tired of the smugness...

Good, I'm sick of the smug...

Good word choice...

And I quite like the Titanic reference as well :lol:

Don't get me wrong, I hate viruses and I wouldn't wish them on anyone...well almost anyone...but hopefully this will stop the aforementioned smugness and open some eyes

 

[Artlav]

It backs things up in the background and it's not nearly as intrusive as backing up in Windows

Hm?
Since when does backing up require a special program, or can be intrusive?
What does such a program do?

Mac users will be just as vulnerable as PC users if and when virus creators start to think that writing a Mac virus will be worthwhile.

Not exactly.
MacOS is a UNIX derivative - build on deny-if-not-allowed principle, thus eliminating majority of virus infection vectors.
Windows on the other hand is allow-if-not-denied design, and so have much wider vulnerabilty spectrum.

Never the less, it's still good to be on your guard - the stronger your stronghold is, the more surprised you'd tend to be when the enemy breaches in.

 

[Notebook]

BBC has woken up:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422

N.

 

[Jarvitä]

Computer viruses?

But...

 

[Quick_Nick]

It's pretty funny that Windows is blamed for viruses and crashes caused by programs. Good luck getting a Windows computer to blue screen without running a non-MS program or having faulty hardware. Windows doesn't fail, it just gives you the freedom to fail. Unfortunately, Microsoft may be (okay, almost definitely) taking back some of that freedom.
I see Apple products as expensive bricks. I run Windows 7, I have an Android phone that can download from unknown sources (thank you motorola for that "fix") and an Android tablet that is easily rooted. (but rooting isn't necessary like jail-breaking on iOS)

 

[Ark]

Of course rooting is necessary, you don't expect me to cough up another $20 a month for tethering, do you? It's my data connection, what does it matter if that data is going to my phone, or going to my phone, THEN my laptop?

 

[Quick_Nick]

Of course rooting is necessary, you don't expect me to cough up another $20 a month for tethering, do you? It's my data connection, what does it matter if that data is going to my phone, or going to my phone, THEN my laptop?

That's your phone service provider. I do agree anyhow.
My friend rooted his phone, and used the network to run xbox live. He used like 15GB data in the first month. I guess he's not concerned about data speed getting limited. My tablet would let me tether but of course has no network. I guess there's not much reason not to root my phone except the slight hassle. (and I have a limited data plan) Not like it's gonna upgrade anyways. And I hate all the AT&T crap on it. Still, I can do much more unrooted than on an iPhone.