Mac OS X malware (MacDefender)

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freitasm

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Topic # 84137 25-May-2011 12:59

After some silence it seems Apple is planning to release an update to Mac OS X specifically to remove MacDefender and to warn users of this malware.

I guess this makes it official now: there's malware for Mac OS X, and people will install it, with some good social engineering. It was just a question of volume and Mac OS X is probably arriving at that tipping point where it can be lucrative for scam artists to send out their software and try to get money out of people.

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Reply # 473891 25-May-2011 13:12

It was always a question of time before something like this emerged. With Apple's growing popularity (especially in the smart phone and tablet markets) someone was bound to create some nasty program.

Lets just hope Apple responds quickly to these new threats, rather than fixing them in quarterly updates!

freitasm

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Reply # 473892 25-May-2011 13:13

Good you touched mobile devices. Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

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Reply # 473894 25-May-2011 13:18

freitasm: Good you touched mobile devices. Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

oh god, please not! what about all the open source softwares?

i am not surprised if this is going to happen. they already put App store on recent updates. osx Lion might be one step closer to 'lockdown' OS

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Reply # 473895 25-May-2011 13:20

freitasm: Good you touched mobile devices. Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

Interesting question, it would make the Mac OS more secure (i will hold off saying completly secure), but at what cost? Since the hardware that it runs on allows install from CD and USB, how would they police what is installed via those mediums? Digitally signed software?

gehenna

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Reply # 473912 25-May-2011 13:40

This isn't the first occurrence of Malware on OS X. It's probably the first that is targeted at novice users in the form of legitimate software, but some other malware was on the loose a couple of years ago when iWork came out. Photoshop too if I recall correctly. Torrented versions contained the malware so many people were infected as a result.

freitasm

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Reply # 473916 25-May-2011 13:42

No, it's not. But Mac OS X marketshare has been growing at a much faster pace now, so it's more likely if affects a large number of users.

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Reply # 473919 25-May-2011 13:45

Yep, being the first reported instance that infects via "legit" software (opposed to torrented software) it's disconcerting, but we have to be realistic that it's just the tip of the iceberg. The whole sales pitch that "mac's don't get viruses" was never going to hold up to scrutiny.

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Reply # 473922 25-May-2011 13:56

freitasm: Good you touched mobile devices. Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

Wow i had never thought of that before, but now you mention it sort of makes sense.

Mac OS has always been designed to be simple and for the home user - if they had to approve apps it would give home users more confidence as they could also be assured that the program would be compatible with their computer.

If it worked, and they could guarantee virus free computers for users who kept their system up to date it might actually pay off.

People with kids/teenagers who don;t want to be checking what they are downloading every 5 minutes would have piece of mind that they aren't downloading viruses or anything harmful for the computer.

Of course it would alienate a whole other group of people and is probably not a good business move - but an interesting point of view no doubt.

freitasm

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Reply # 473925 25-May-2011 13:57

And why do you think they have the Applt iTunes store for Mac OS X? It could be a foot in the door...

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joshp

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Reply # 474034 25-May-2011 16:42

In some respects this may not be a bad thing, personally I have my parents running on OSX, their accounts do not have admin access so applications cannot be installed without my admin credentials, while this makes the chances of them installing rogue software much less likely, it also requires me to help them install any software that they may actually want (including updates!)

having an option where they can only install signed "safe" software would make my life a bit easier, but it would most certainly have to be an opt in policy :P

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Reply # 474035 25-May-2011 16:45

but it would most certainly have to be an opt in policy :P

You should know by now apple doesn't do opt in policies - it's all or nothing :)

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Reply # 474044 25-May-2011 16:52

joshp: having an option where they can only install signed "safe" software would make my life a bit easier

Mac App Store?

codyc1515

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Reply # 474049 25-May-2011 16:59

freitasm: Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

No, someone would file a lawsuit saying it was anti-competitive.

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Reply # 474053 25-May-2011 17:06

codyc1515:
freitasm: Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

No, someone would file a lawsuit saying it was anti-competitive.

The European Commission would have a field day

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Reply # 474055 25-May-2011 17:07

boby55:
codyc1515:
freitasm: Do you think Apple would make a move to lockdown the Mac OS X as they've done with the iOS, allowing only approved applications for it?

No, someone would file a lawsuit saying it was anti-competitive.

The European Commission would have a field day

Do you think it would be good to only allow pre-approved apps?

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