Apple taking technical, legal action against Flashback malware | Macworld

Apple taking technical, legal action against Flashback malware | Macworld

Right, HERE we go … 

I’ll happily admit to being something of a Mac fanboi: and what’s more, one that doesn’t usually like mentioning the M word.

But let’s be frank, here, malware gets everywhere: including on the usually untouched OS X platform.

As you’re probably aware, I’ve already highlighted the fact that a cross-platform nasty has been doing the rounds just recently.

But I also thought I should post a link to the above report from MacWorld: highlighting Apple’s announcement that they’ll be “developing software that will detect and remove the Flashback malware.”: further more, “In addition to the Java vulnerability, the Flashback malware relies on computer servers hosted by the malware authors to perform many of its critical functions. Apple is working with ISPs worldwide to disable this command and control network.”.

Have fun with that, folks: keep yourself covered.

BBC News - Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware'

BBC News - Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware'

Hmm … 

That’s a little embarrassing … !

I’ve got to admit, USUALLY, I’m always fairly smug about the fact there’s not much in the way of malware doing the rounds that’ll affect OS X.

In point of fact, I think the last one was the Flashback trojan, back in September of last, that disguised itself as a version of the Flashplayer software from Adobe,

However, in recent weeks … ?

A variation on the theme, that took advantage of cross-platform programming language, Java, has recently been doing the rounds.

Apple have, of course, issued a patch for their implementation of the language.

But … ?

Well, I’d hit the Software Update button, if that update hasn’t shown up, already.

And to be on the safe side … ?

You can also download it from here, here and the Snow Leopard one from here … 

If you’ve not managed to do that, as yet?   You can try this as an alternative … 

Oh … And you can find out more, here … 

Now, to quote Hill Street Blues … ?

“Be careful out there … ”

Mac Defender: Another Follow On

Hmmm …

Well …

It looks like Apple have released Security Update 2o11-003, to deal with the news-making Mac Defender malware that’s been doing the rounds.

Finally.

But I’m thinking that Apple’s made a bit of a bad move, here.

Along with the updated, they’ve not also updated Safari, to prevent it automatically downloading safe files.

The the Mac OS X platform’s slowly increasing popularity … ?

That’s not good.

MAC Defender: A Follow On

Hmmm …

Do you remember me, a few days ago, telling you about Mac Defender, the scare-ware aimed at OS X … ?

Now, I know that — almost within hours — was that steps were available on practically every Mac site going.

With one noticeable exception …

That of Apple, itself …

»»•««

Odd …

Not from what I’ve picked up, over the years.

After all, the Cupertino-based company is famed for being very closed mouthed, until it’s damn good and ready to speak its piece.

And about this subject … ?

It has: you can read Apple’s official solution, here.

»»•««

Actually, while we’re at … ?

I’ve got to admit to doing a bit of touch of asking around.

Strangely enough … !

You see, while I’m not a fan of Windows — I know a lot of people who are, but not all of us have managed to get Mac — I ALSO know a few people with iPods.

And iPhones.

Both of which hook up to a PC or Mac, through iTunes.

Obviously.

So the one thing I felt I should do is try and find out where the Preferences are, in the Windows version.

Curiosity, for the most part.

For the most part … !

But I’m also very aware that … well … Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

If Apple had made the Windows version of Safari pull off the same routine of opening apparently safe files, as soon as they were download … ?

That had me thinking … !

My solution … ?

Was, frankly, to ask a question on the Apple Safari Forums.

You can read the answer I got, here, but to summarise … ?

Simply all you need to do is is press ‘ctrl’ and the ‘,’.

And in the resultant Preferences, go into the General Tab …

And then tick the ‘Always Prompt Before Downloading’ button.

Hope that lot helps … !

MACDefender: A Heads Up …

Hmmm …

You know, I’m glad I’ve got a Mac, I am …

No, really … !

Mostly on the ease-of-use front, I think OS X can’t be far beaten.

Actually … ?

It usually can’t be beaten on the malware front, either.

Usually …

And usually, when there is malware about … ?

It usually hits the headlines, much like MAC Defender has.

»»•««

Just so you know, the reason I know it’s hit the headlines … ?

Is that I have Mail.app, my email client, set up as my default RSS reader.

One of those feeds … ?

Is the BBC’s Technology news site.

Which is where I noticed this …

Like I say, headlines …

»»•««

To summarise … ?

Briefly, it seems many of my fellow Mac owners have been conned into downloading a piece of software called MACDefender: or, occasionally, Mac Security.

It’s scareware, so you know.

In other words, it’s a piece of software that pretends to scan your Mac, and claims there’s tons of malicious software on it.

And that, in order to get rid of it, you have to pay MACDefenders producers for it to finish the job.

Instead … ?

It just redirects you to tons on porn sites … AFTER you’ve coughed up.

Oh …

And hogs a lot of your systems resources in the process.

»»•««

There’s a solution, though.

Bit of a monotonous one, but one that will get the malware off an infected Mac.

You can read it, here.

But at the bottom of it … ?

Is an old issue with Safari, and something that came up with the .dmg bug, a few years ago.

Basically, Safari automatically opens files it thinks are safe.

Indeed, altering that is something I know I’ve done for years, whenever I’ve got a new version of OS X or Safari.

At the end of the procedure, the guide I’ve found for dealing with MAC Defender Safari’s Preference pane — pictured above — you need to make sure that you’ve unticked the ‘Open “Safe” files after downloading’ button.

Personally … ?

I’m thinking Apple’s a touch remiss about not just doing a little bit of altering.

Just to make sure that’s a closed hole in one of their few cross platform programmes.