Fake “MacDefender” Brings Malware to Macs

Fake anti-virus software is an old multiply of malware that's finally found a new trick: Attacking Macs.

The malicious Mac app is titled MacDefender, and according to Intego, information technology hides inside Web pages that use search engine optimization to junk e-mail the results of popular searches. Pestiferous Websites show a fake aliveness of a malware glance over in Windows, followed by a pop-up telling users that their computer is infected. JavaScript on the page and then automatically downloads a compressible ZIP file containing the malware.

The MacDefender malware looks concrete.

For Campaign users WHO've restrained the "undisguised 'safe' files later downloading" option within the browser's settings, the MacDefender malware installation begins automatically. Otherwise, the user moldiness open the ZIP file and put in the app manually for the malware to yield hold.

As Intego notes, the MacDefender app–non to make up confused with the software developer of the same mention–looks rather convincing, and at one time installed, information technology quickly sets to work on discovering non-existent viruses and loading porno in the drug user's Browser. The point of all this is to scare users into forking ended their money and charge plate selective information, which the MacDefender app says is necessary to delete viruses.

Reduced Take chances So Far

Luckily, Intego describes this Mac malware as low risk and not very distributed for now. Information technology's also fairly painless to remove, equally The Next Web points outgoing. Early, economic consumption the Activity Monitor (under Applications > Utilities) to disable anything corresponding MacDefender. Then, make a point there are no references to the malware app in Library/StartupItems or, in the same piazza, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons. So, move the MacDefender app from Applications to Trash, and delete the trash. Finally, utilisation Spotlight Search to find and delete any remaining references to the app.

For prevention, Intego recommends its have anti-virus software system (of run), but all you really need is horse sense. Uncheck the "open 'safe' files after downloading" option in Safari and never, ever set u anti-computer virus software that pops up on some random website, no matter how many viruses it says your computer has.

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