Virus/anti-spam software

[slu]

I read this thread today, then while I was browsing the net for info on Apple's Time Capsule, I stumbled upon this and thought it might be relevant to the thread. I have no opinion myself on the article as I don't even yet own a Mac (soon, but not soon enough).

Here is what the article says:

"Security researchers at SecureMac say they've spotted Mac OS X malware in the wild capable of taking firm control of a victim's computer. The company says that distribution of the Trojan currently appears limited, though its warns it could escalate soon."

"With the rise in popularity of Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) Mac computers and the OS X operating systems they run, dangerous malware , viruses and Trojans are now being targeted for the Mac, too. The most recent case in point comes courtesy of a security advisory released by SecureMac. The advisory warns that multiple variants of a new Trojan horse -- out in the wild -- is ready to run roughshod all over OS X 10.4 and 10.5.

SecureMac notes that while the Trojan, which is based on AppleScript and currently called "ASthtv05," is only being distributed from a hacker Web site at the moment, discussion has been edging into how it could be distributed more widely."

There is more to read and here is the link:

http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/Tiny-Trojan-Trots-Into-Mac-OS-X-Turf-63504.html

I'm not trying to fuel the fire, just thought it might be an interesting read/discussion.

Interesting, but I would still need to download the file and execute the AppleScript to have it compromise my machine. I find it difficult to believe that a user could unknowingly do this.

 

[Eraserhead]

Concerning Malware - The AppStore is only one method available to get apps on an iPhone. Apps under development may themselves open the door to infection or backdoor access.

Developers know better (or they sure as hell should), and so I don't think it'll be that easy.

Virus's do not require access to the AppStore. New holes are found all the time in OS X security. The potential is there, just not the interest.

Other malware which is far more common does though.

 

[gehrbox]

Developers know better (or they sure as hell should), and so I don't think it'll be that easy.

You really believe that? Many of the same developers write software for Windows AND the Mac. Think they are more careful on the Mac when they write their code?

Developers miss errors in design all the time in all OS's. Then there are the issues created by typo's. As long as the syntax is good in the compiler you would be surprised at what will be allowed to run fine until the right conditions are present.

 

[gehrbox]

Other malware which is far more common does though.

And you know this to be a fact by what means? People have been putting apps on their jailbroken iPhones almost from the time it was first put on sale. Think that will stop with version 2.0?

People didn't used to think you could get ill effects on your computer just by opening a PDF, Picture, web site or playing a movie. MS Office macros opened a can of worms on top of that.

The point is that the people that think Mac OS X is not subject to virus or malware attacks are living in wonderland. Sooner or later creative deviants will be attracted to the OS in enough volume to start a wide spread issue.

 

[Eraserhead]

And you know this to be a fact by what means? People have been putting apps on their jailbroken iPhones almost from the time it was first put on sale. Think that will stop with version 2.0?

If you want to stay secure, yes. There will be loads of applications through the AppStore.

You really believe that? Many of the same developers write software for Windows AND the Mac. Think they are more careful on the Mac when they write their code?

They should still be educated enough about computers to know about sceptical computing, so they'll be difficult to target...