Viruses On Os X

Thank you, that version of the myth has expanded to Steve Jobs debuting a Mac only to HAVE IT HACKED ON STAGE!!!1!!!!11 [!--Ed.]

These predictions remind me of various apocalyptic groups I stumble literally upon. The "New World Order/Anti-Christ/Disco" is coming . . . soon . . . any moment . . . just wait.

I have a wonderful book on such movements--Apocalypse Pretty Soon--analyzing a number of end-time cults in America. It is now ironic that it is an old book.

Still we are here.

Nevertheless, the point has always remained that security begins and ends with the user. On a Mac/PC/Whatever you can give away your Personal Data [Tm.--Ed.] on a phish site if you are not careful.

Still . . . I am allowed to smirk as my Souless Left-Behind-in-PC World colleagues open every "I have a new computer" with "what anti-virus software did you buy?"

:smug:

--J.D.
 
So I hear all this about mac viruses and malware being rare, but I got this weird message from my internet browser about unusual high internet usage "You may have a blaster virus". Of course, last time it was my Dad's pc that got the message. And this morning my wireless internet has been on the fritz-a blaster symptom apparently, but then I also just downloaded the mac os x security update. With all of those factors, it's a bit hard to rule out the 'rare malware' invasion...but I wouldn't trust Norton with my macbook. Last time I used Norton's on my imac it fixed one problem and caused a bunch of others. I am concened with getting one, not just because I need to download stuff-I can't afford to buy software to replace what my imac ran in classic-but also because I'm sharing files with PCs more than I ever thought I would need too. So many variables to consider...
 
A "Trojan" is always a real threat on any computer. Don't assume that a virus or worm is the only way to attack.

I read this article this past week: http://w2spconf.com/2010/papers/p27.pdf

It illustrates that the threats can come not to your computer but to your online accounts directly if you are not careful (and if the web sites are not extremely careful). My point is telling this is to make you aware that "the Mac is 100% virus proof" is not where your caution needs to end.

Except for Windows, 99% of the successful "hacking" penetrates the system via the user -- not the computer. DOD was "hacked" when a guy sprinkled infected thumb drives in the parking lot and someone was naive enough to pick one up, put it in his PC. The PC has an auto launch "feature" and -- boom -- it was infected.

I don't think anyone who is serious claims that Mac (Unix) is bullet proof. But Unix did originate under the assumption that there would be multiple users on the same system. Windows did not start out with that assumption and so it suffered (still suffers?) from that past.

I like how the Mac asks you a few questions every once in a while like "You just downloaded this, do you really want to launch it?"

To summarize, you could be infected if you downloaded something that was tainted, trusted it, and launched it. That is not a virus or a computer failure but a user and a trust failure (you trusted someone who was not trustworthy). I don't think anyone on this list argues that that is not easy to do. They are arguing that that isn't a virus (and its not).

On that note, I do not use my admin account much at all. So, if I screwed up and trusted something that was infected, my user account could get hosed up but the machine itself would not.
 
starhorsepax said:
So I hear all this about mac viruses and malware being rare, but I got this weird message from my internet browser about unusual high internet usage "You may have a blaster virus".
Click to expand...

The Blaster virus is a Windows virus, not a Macintosh virus.

What you encountered was most likely a scareware pop-up, trying to get you to purchase (Windows) anti-virus software. You can turn pop-ups off in your browser, or you can just safely ignore such scareware.

There are no actual viruses for OS X, no matter what anyone tells you. There are a handful of Trojan Horses, but they are so rare that you probably couldn't find one if you went looking for one.

Here is an excellent new Web site on the topic of Macintosh malware:
http://www.reedcorner.net/thomas/guides/macvirus/
...and an associated
Macintosh Malware Catalog
http://www.reedcorner.net/thomas/guides/macvirus/malware_catalog.shtml

You will note that, in the list of malware for the Mac, above, there are only a couple of threats that make it as high as achieving a "Low" risk rating. Those risks are handled by anti-malware software that is now included in OS X 10.6:
http://www.macworld.com/article/142457/2009/08/snowleopard_malware.html

Until there is a real threat to the Macintosh, using anti-virus software is likely to be more problematic on your Macintosh than any malware you might come across. Your best defense for now is to have a good archival backup for your data.
 
Thanks for the tips. The message about blaster is coming from an embarq service message, its not a pop up, it's a redirect -very annoying as it can't be disabled. I have to quit browser and all to get it to leave. If I even open the other browser when it's open that one gets it too.
I really would like a better backup for my macbook before I add anti virus or something, since right now it's sharing an external drive-can't be reformatted for Time machine-with my old imac. I do suspect I may need something given all the freeware (I do check reviews and security of sites first) and the fact that it's in contact with a less than trusted pc and network (at least I'm not impressed with them. I've had files vanish off both flash and main network in spite of their antivirus, with no apparent reason.)
 
It is not possible that virus will be on Operating System, but when your system will be effected from viruses than may be chance that it can effect of operating system as well. So anti-virus software should be install in your system all the time.

Thanks
itezy
 
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Just read this article, Apple secretly updates Mac malware protection.

Its still not a virus but interesting nonetheless. I didn't believe it at first but then I checked the Xprotect.plist myself and it is fact. Its kinda funny that Apple didn't mention it in the release notes. Any of you ACMTs on here know why Apple was keeping it hush-hush other than marketing reasons?
 
 
chevy said:
There is a complete article about security on MacOS X in the March issue of MacWorld
http://www.macworld.com/2005/02/features/macsecurityhome/index.php

Statements:
1) Virus may also come on MacOS X, even if currently there is no known virus infection on our plateform. Therefore it is not a bad idea to have antivirus SW on your Mac with uptodate definitions.
2) If you use VPC you are vulnerable to Windows viruses.
3 _my statement_) There are other risks... the first one being the risk to lose your data due to hardware problems. Therefore it is a very good idea to backup your data on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

it should be noted that any Windows virii/spyware that you get in VirtualPC will be limited to the VirtualPC operating system, and cannot, in any way, damage or affect your Mac OS X system. At the worst, your Virtual OS will be kaput and will have to be deleted and re-installed, but OS X and your hardware will be absolutely fine.
 
wouldrichest said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by chevy
There is a complete article about security on MacOS X in the March issue of MacWorld
http://www.macworld.com/2005/02/feat...home/index.php
Click to expand...

That article is from 2005, and I believe that it was semi-misguided even back then.


wouldrichest said:
Statements:
1) Virus may also come on MacOS X, even if currently there is no known virus infection on our plateform.
Click to expand...
They *may* come. On the other hand, OS X has now been out for over 8 years. For eight long years Windows apologists have been saying that there will be lots of viruses for OS X any day now. The next true virus for OS X will be the first.

Here is an excellent new Web site on the topic of Macintosh malware 
that you might find edifying:
http://www.reedcorner.net/thomas/guides/macvirus/


...and an associated Macintosh Malware Catalog
http://www.reedcorner.net/thomas/guides/macvirus/malware_catalog.shtml

Meanwhile there are literally millions of viruses for Windows.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/default.aspx

wouldrichest said:
Therefore it is not a bad idea to have antivirus SW on your Mac with uptodate definitions.
Click to expand...

Anti-virus software for OS X doesn't work that way. To provide protection against a specific viral threat, OS X AV software requires that the AV software developer have a copy of the virus, and that they create an update to their AV software to detect and deal with that virus. No Macintosh AV software provides protection against as-yet unknown threats. So, owning AV software now won't protect you automatically against any as-yet unknown viruses. There is no reason to purchase AV software until there is a threat that has been identified.

wouldrichest said:
2) If you use VPC you are vulnerable to Windows viruses.
Click to expand...

Well, first VirtualPC no longer exists. It was for PowerPC-based Macs only, and Apple stopped making PowerPC-based Macs over 3 years ago.

Modern Macs can run Windows under virtualization with Fusion, Parallels, or VirtualBox. Or using Bootcamp. When you run these products, you are indeed vulnerable to most, but not all, Windows viruses.

However, it is easy to avoid Windows viruses completely when you run Windows on your Macintosh, with no need for any AV software whatsoever.

The vectors through which you can become infected with a Windows virus is either via the Internet (including e-mail), or by sharing media with other Windows users.

Most Mac users running Windows only do so to run one or more mission critical applications that are Windows only. The Macintosh has excellent native programs to access the Internet. So, if you only access the Internet using Mac programs, and you don't share software with other Windows users, your chances of contracting a Windows virus are just about nil.

wouldrichest said:
3 _my statement_) There are other risks... the first one being the risk to lose your data due to hardware problems. Therefore it is a very good idea to backup your data on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

Yes, very true.

wouldrichest said:
it should be noted that any Windows virii/spyware that you get in VirtualPC will be limited to the VirtualPC operating system, and cannot, in any way, damage or affect your Mac OS X system. At the worst, your Virtual OS will be kaput and will have to be deleted and re-installed, but OS X and your hardware will be absolutely fine..
Click to expand...

Very true with respect to virtualization. However, as stated above, VirtualPC is now a defunct product.
 
no,it is not true to ignore the viruses.the usefull thing which you cand make is to install a good antivirus.I recommend you a rewiev of the 10 important antiviruses ------
hope you enjoy it
 
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Thanks for giving us a list of 10 anti-virus software packages -- none of which run on Mac OS X.

Your post was not "enjoyable," nor was it informative at all. Every bit of information you have given us has been covered numerous times in the last 52 pages of this thread. I highly recommend reading through the entire thread to make sure what you're contributing has not already been covered.

Not to mention any website with an originating country of Columbia is not to be trusted. Sorry, nothing against Columbians -- but Columbian websites are usually not to be trusted... especially in terms of software that is decidedly US-based.
 
It amazes me how large this thread is, concerning something that doesn't exist (Mac OS viruses, that is)! Am I wrong? I haven't yet seen reports of a virus. A few worms, several trojans, no viruses. :)

(BTW, I keep getting emails because I'm subscribed to this thread. I've got to stop being lazy and unsubscribe!)
 
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Doctor X said:
I do not know if it is a virus. Clam also detects phishing attempts based on the e-mail.
Click to expand...
Can you explain JD?

ex2bot said:
It amazes me how large this thread is, concerning something that doesn't exist (Mac OS viruses, that is)! Am I wrong? I haven't yet seen reports of a virus. A few worms, several trojans, no viruses. :)
Click to expand...
Yes, but it's a fatalistic thing, i.e. too good to be true. Those that see the glass half full probably don't venture into this thread.
 
Rhisiart said:
Can you explain JD?


Yes, but it's a fatalistic thing, i.e. too good to be true. Those that see the glass half full probably don't venture into this thread.
Click to expand...

The thing is that viruses per se are kind of a relic in this day and age. There's no gain in destroying someone's data. The interest nowadays is to acquire your personal information for monetary gain. This is why we see more rootkits and trojans than we do viruses on any platform, and it's more a matter of duping the user into giving permission to install and run covertly without them being alerted that something's wrong. That kind of intrusion is pretty much possible on any platform since the user is really the weakest link.
 
Rhisiart said:
Can you explain JD?
Click to expand...

Long story short, for amusement I will go after scammers and frauds with a fake e-mail address. This means that one "crap" e-mail address gathers a lot of . . . well . . . crap: from the various "viagra" ads to the 419 scams. Along with this, I will get phishing attempts.

Clam will pick up on those e-mails in your Mail program. It reads the phishing attempt, methinks. I state this because the ones that triggered Clam do not contain a virus nor point to a webpage that has viruses. It just recognizes it as "dangerous."

That does not mean I do not get the occasional e-mail with an attached Beastie that affects PCs :)

--J.D.
 
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