Viruses on OS X

[runeblade]

A word of caution...some virus protection software is worse than a virus itself. I have to reinstall my OS this week because of an install of Intego Virus Barrier X5 that F*****ed up my Macbook and can't be fully removed.

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by runeblade

A word of caution...some virus protection software is worse than a virus itself. I have to reinstall my OS this week because of an install of Intego Virus Barrier X5 that F*****ed up my Macbook and can't be fully removed.

Did you let Intego know? In my experience their customer support is generally pretty good. They will often provide a patch pretty quickly.

However, do you really need virus protection software anyway? Given that there are no viruses for Macs and that VirusBarrier won't stop you passing on most Windows viruses to PCs, what is it for?

[Rhisiart]

Given my problems with a very sick iBook, I have given thought to getting a low cost Dell PC laptop (I just can't afford a new iBook at this time).

Now having read this article, I've changed my mind.

The latest edition of the Symantec report covers the second half of 2007 during which time the security firm detected 499,811 new malicious code threats. This figure was up 136% on the first six months of 2007.

Throughout 2007 Symantec detected more than 711,912 novel threats which brings the total number of malicious programs that the security firm's anti-virus programs detect to 1,122,311.

The report notes: "almost two thirds of all malicious code threats currently detected were created during 2007."

The vast majority of these viruses are aimed at PCs running Microsoft Windows and are variants of already existing malicious programs that have proved useful to hi-tech criminals in the past.

[nixgeek]

Originally Posted by Rhisiart

Given my problems with a very sick iBook, I have given thought to getting a low cost Dell PC laptop (I just can't afford a new iBook at this time).

Now having read this article, I've changed my mind.

The latest edition of the Symantec report covers the second half of 2007 during which time the security firm detected 499,811 new malicious code threats. This figure was up 136% on the first six months of 2007.

Throughout 2007 Symantec detected more than 711,912 novel threats which brings the total number of malicious programs that the security firm's anti-virus programs detect to 1,122,311.

The report notes: "almost two thirds of all malicious code threats currently detected were created during 2007."

The vast majority of these viruses are aimed at PCs running Microsoft Windows and are variants of already existing malicious programs that have proved useful to hi-tech criminals in the past.

Well, if you were to still purchase that Dell laptop, you could do one of two things. One, you could set up a certain type of system that rhymes with "Macintosh" that we're not allowed to talk about in here , or you could install Ubuntu Linux on it. I've got it installed on my new work laptop, a Dell Latitude D630, and it runs incredibly well.

Still, I would much rather have the iBook. Of course, the geek in me would probably dual boot it with Ubuntu/ppc anyways.

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by nixgeek

....you could install Ubuntu Linux on it. I've got it installed on my new work laptop, a Dell Latitude D630, and it runs incredibly well.

Thanks nixgeek. That's a very good suggestion. I shall look into it.

[slimeyapple]

ClamXAV.com (Mac OS X) and Clamwin.com (for windows OS) are both free. I keep antivirus software since I have a mixed-network. While the viruses that ClamXAV has discovered were Windows viruses, it prevented them from infecting any part of my network.

While they won't hurt your computer, a Windows virus could spread (your Mac as a carrier.)

[symphonix]

I just thought I'd bring a couple of new Trojans to the attention of the MacOSX.com community. http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001461.html

Backdoor.Mac.Hovdy.a apparently isn't in the wild yet, but the source code for it is circulating, meaning it is only a matter of time. Being a trojan, it still requires user intervention or social engineering to spread.

PokerStealer.A heavily relies on social engineering. It comes with the filename PokerGame.app (180Kb), sounds interesting, right? ... However, once executed, it will prompt the user for a password.

I'd just like to remind the forums that we aren't immune to social engineering, and a good deal of common sense, along with a suspicion of any app from an unknown source, will save you a lot of trouble.

[Satcomer]

Well Macworld just released an article called The ARDAgent security hole: What you need to know that people might take a look at.