defend

Apple's malware detection update circumvented in 8 hours

Update (June 2, 7:51am): In less than a day Apple's Snow Leopard is back in the lead with the ability to detect this new variant.

Let the cat and mouse games commence. Less than a day after Apple tackled the malware threats in OS X with an updated implementation of its malware detection technologies, the MacDefender malware developers have issued another variant that bypasses Apple's definitions to root out and remove the malware.

As described by ZDNet editor Ed Bott, the new variant comes as a download called "Mdinstall.pkg" and will run without being … Read more

Apple's new malware security offers daily definitions updates

The recent MacDefender malware (aka MacProtector and MacSecurity) scams have duped a number of people into unknowingly offering their credit card information. In the days and weeks following the initial reports of this malware we and other sites covered the scope of it and how to remove it. Apple followed by issuing a knowledge base article of its own on how to remove the malware, and also mentioned that OS X would be updated to include detection for this malware.

As CNET's Josh Lowensohn reported earlier, Apple today released a security update that addresses this threat by providing OS … Read more

Apple security update targets MacDefender malware

As promised, Apple's released a security update to address the MacDefender malware, as well as its known variants.

Security Update 2011-003, which went out to Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard users this afternoon, adds file quarantine and built-in removal of the MacDefender malware.

"The installation process for this update will search for and remove known variants of the MacDefender malware," Apple's support document reads. "If a known variant was detected and removed, the user will be notified via an alert after the update is installed."

The MacDefender malware, which also goes by the … Read more

Apple standard procedures won't work with security

On May 24, Apple posted a support forum entry on how to avoid or remove the MacDefender malware that's been plaguing an unknown number of users since early May. And I'm glad they did. But the support forum is way overdue, and Apple's standard method of responding to user issues--ignore them until they won't go away and then issue a response when the outcry gets too loud--simply won't fly where user security is at stake.

Mac users are a juicy, unprotected target for hackers, phishers, and scammers, and Apple needs to drop the impenetrable fortress … Read more

Securing your Mac from the new MacGuard malware variant

The MacDefender phishing malware for OS X has caused a bit of concern in the Mac community. People who inadvertently visit the false "Apple Security Center" Web site are downloading the installer for the scam software and installing it. This has previously required users to interact with the software installer and provide an admin password to install the package; however, as reported on by CNET editor Elinor Mills, a new variant installs the program under the current user's account and uses an install option that does not require an admin password.

Overall this new variant is not … Read more

Updated rogue AV installs on Macs without password

A new version of rogue antivirus malware that targets the Macintosh operating system does not need victims to type in their administrator passwords to install and infect the machine, a security company said today.

The latest version of the malware has been overhauled to look like a native Mac OS X application and is using the application name MacGuard, according to an Intego blog post. But particularly concerning is the fact that unlike previous versions, which were dubbed Mac Defender, MacProtector, and MacSecurity, MacGuard installs itself without prompting for the admin password.

"If Safari's 'Open safe files after … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1476: The Oprah Browser (Podcast)

On today's show, Apple responds to the Mac Defender concerns with a support forum and a promised OS X update, Google may announce mobile payments via NFC as early as tomorrow (Thursday), and Facebook might launch a music service with Spotify (but no, not in the U.S. -- yet). Also, TiVo makes tons of money from suing people and Brian Tong bids a teary farewell to Oprah. --Molly

Apple offers MacDefender malware removal instructions

The new MacDefender malware for OS X is scam software that is distributed as a Trojan horse to try to trick Mac users into installing it and then providing credit card and other personal information to the scammers. The program is not a virus, and runs just as you would install any utility, application, or system add-on. The only difference between this and legitimate programs is that this one was built to trick you into giving up personal information.

When the program was initially released, Apple did not immediately respond, and numerous Mac and technology Web sites covered how to … Read more

Apple posts MacDefender removal info, promises fix

Apple this afternoon posted instructions for removing MacDefender, the rogue antivirus software that targets Mac OS X users. Additionally the company has said it will be updating its Mac OS to automatically find and remove the software.

Apple support article HT4650, titled "how to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware" includes a description of the software, as well as steps to remove it. CNET has learned that those who come to Apple for support on the issue will be directed toward the article until the fix is delivered, which Apple says should arrive "in the coming days.&… Read more

How bad is the Mac malware scare? (FAQ)

Macintosh users are being targeted with malware that poses as an antivirus warning and tries to trick people into paying for software they don't need.

This ruse isn't new. So-called rogue antivirus has been hitting Windows machines for years. But this is the first time this type of malware has been written to target the much smaller Mac market.

This FAQ sorts through the facts to help determine how serious the issue really is.

What is the malware? MacDefender, also known as Mac Security and Mac Protector, is a fake antivirus program that is designed to scare people … Read more