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Mac Virus

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:06:41 PM

, ,

I just saw this page on the Mac website.





Its another sign that Apple still haven't acknoledge that viruses attack Macs too and they are not invulnerable! Just take a look at these news articles: http://news.google.co.uk/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=uk&hl=en&q=Mac+virus

The article reads that Mac don't get PC viruses. First off, aren't Macs a PC? Don't forget that PC stands for personal computer Macs are personal computers. If you are not a PC then what are you? An impersonal computer? Apple has started a derogatory campaign against Windows PC labling them as inferior PCs. They seem to forget that Windows is not the only PC OS out there. There is Ubuntu, Fendora, Mint, and other Linux and Unix distros. A better title would be Macs vs Windows not Macs vs PCs.

Secondly, Macs is a software and all software have vulnerabiilties. One of the main reason Macs have not been attacked is due to their low popularity. As Mac usuage grows, so as the viruses developed for it. Don't forget, Fake AV is also a type malware. It is very annoying and nagging. ALso, you may claim that oh to install a software Macs users have to type in an admin password but don't forget, these software are designed into trick you into thinking you actually need it! You may want to read my other post about malware on macs.

Edit: If any of the readers have Mac Protector installed, use this guide to remove it. I haven't tried myself as I'm a Windows user: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-mac-protector

End of the WorldDifferent malware types

Comments

Unregistered user Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:47:25 PM

@BeckyStine writes: My mac got a virus last Friday. It was called "MacProtector". Ok, technically it was malware, no idea what the difference is, they both suck. Anyways, it looks legit so I didn't see the problem giving the admin password, that is until they asked for my credit card information. They said for $70 they could clean viruses off my hard drive. And unlike some unlucky people, I'm not buying any software without researching it first. Once I found out it was a virus it was rather easy to get it off (that is if you live close to an Apple Store). I took it into the genius bar and within 15 minutes and for free (even without AppleCare) they removed the virus in its entirety. The "genius" said that non-mac PCs get it too, showing that as Apples get more popular the risk of viruses increase. The genius bar people gave me a few hints which I think they just picked up themselves. But Apple as a company needs to get their head out of the sand and try and get ahead of problems. edit: Comment edited by moderator (me) for spelling change.

Thu Winwikipedian Tuesday, May 24, 2011 7:54:28 PM

Mac Protector is a Mac only malware. I found this guide that may help others uninstall it: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-mac-protector

Also, the difference between malware and viruses is that malware is the general term that covers all software with malicious intent. Malware includes viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits and many more. Technically viruses are malware that are self replicating but nowadays many viruses have many characteristic of other malware types so the difference is essentially blurred.

Unregistered user Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:22:47 PM

@BeckyStine writes: I knew there were guides out there to help remove it, but I'm always hesitant to do anything myself that I'm not sure of. It helps when you're only 15 minutes away from an Apple Store. And I have heard reports of non-Mac PCs contracting the virus. It's rare, but has happened.

Thu Winwikipedian Tuesday, May 24, 2011 8:28:47 PM

Actually, I think its Apple policy not to remove these viruses. See this post at Naked Security: http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/05/18/malware-on-your-mac-dont-expect-applecare-to-help-you-remove-it/

Thu Winwikipedian Wednesday, May 25, 2011 12:43:42 AM

@Becky, Windows PC can't contract this particular virus (Mac Defender), I think... as I believe it is a Mac only virus. Bot there are other fake AV for Windows.

Unregistered user Monday, November 28, 2011 7:23:49 PM

totalapps writes: really interesting article please have a look at mine: http://www.totalapps.net/mac/macs-and-viruses/

Thu Winwikipedian Monday, November 28, 2011 8:41:09 PM

@Totalapps, since I cannot apply at your blog, I will reply here. Also left comments on your Facebook page:

There is some malware for Apple Macs that does not require the admin password
http://my.opera.com/wikipedian/blog/2011/05/26/macguard-requires-no-admin-password-to-install

P.S. I followed through to this post via the link you left at http://my.opera.com/wikipedian/blog/2011/05/24/mac-virus?cid=75816472#comment75816472. Thanks for your time for reading my blog. Do you like it?

Unregistered user Monday, May 6, 2013 10:08:11 PM

Dr. Fact Check writes: Technically, Apple is correct when they claim there are no active Mac virus. That does not mean that Mac users are totally safe. Malware is defined as unwanted software or unauthorized software. Malware can only "infect" areas accessible to the user unless there is a vulnerability. That restricts changes to the /Users directory unless the user is administrator, or if the user enters the administrator password, or if the system has an unpatched vulnerability. Mac software changes outside the /Users directory require administrator privileges. There are few vulnerabilities and Apple patches those relatively fast. The exception are Microsoft Word and Java, both of which are poorly supported. Microsoft Word includes a scripting language with vulnerabilities (Melissa virus). Java vulnerabilities involve long-standing disputes between Sun, Microsoft, and Apple. Apple recommends avoiding Word and disabling Java. You avoid most other Mac malware by creating a user account for regular use and a separate administrator account just for system maintenance actions (like system updates and software installation). The user account is baked up regularly. If infected, the user account is deleted and restored from backup. Malware gets into your system two ways: 1. A vulnerability permits unauthorized access with no password (buffer overflow for example). 2. A Trojan requires user cooperation to install itself on the system (administrator password). Vulnerabilities are fixed with software updates. Trojans are "fixed" with user training. Malware is classified according to how to locate it: 1. A virus adds itself inside an existing application (cannot be found with file scan). 2. A worm is a stand-alone application (can be found with a file scan). You can remove a worm by finding it and deleting it. A virus requires software to be re-installed for removal. Malware starts up in one of two ways: 1. A virus activates when you run the infected application. 2. A worm typically edits the startup configuration to run itself at boot or login. Virus is typically identified by strange behavior that only happens when the suspect application is running. A worm is typically identified by examining the startup files.

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