Macs get a fake antivirus

[DBloke]

Heres something to wipe the smugness off the faces of blind mac owners.
Hackers are now targeting Macs.

​

The old saw that Macs don't get viruses is under fire as a piece of malware called Mac Defender is rampaging across the Web. Claiming to be antivirus software, Mac Defender and its variants pretend to clean up your computer -- but all they're after is your cash.
Mac Defender is fake antivirus software that dupes Mac owners into handing over their credit card details. It's the first time these tactics have been employed to attack Macs, according to Intego, the Web security firm that identified the malware -- attacks of this kind usually deliver dodgy Windows programs.
Mac Defender looks like a well-designed, real piece of software, fooling users into installing it. Once it's on your Mac it starts opening porn sites to make you think you have a virus, and informs you of nasty spyware where in fact there isn't any.
If you enter your credit card details and pay for a subscription, the software stops with the porn, making you think it's defeated the non-existent virus. The cunning rascal! Basically it's like that bit in The Lion King 2 where Kovu's pride put Kiara in danger so Kovu can manufacture a brave rescue. Yes, it's exactly like that.
There are a number of other variations on the malware, including versions called Mac Security and Mac Protector.
These scareware programs are spread through SEO (search engine optimisation) poisoning sites, which use SEO tricks to push websites to the top of search results. Those sites pop up warnings that a virus has been detected and automatically downloads the sketchy software.
To avoid being stung by Mac Defender and the like, make sure you only download software from trusted sources, and never continue with installation if software starts trying to install itself. Intego also recommends unticking your browser's option to open files after downloading.
If you have been tricked into installing Mac Defender or one of its evil clones, you should be able to remove it by deleting the app from the Applications folder. If it tries to stop you, open up Activity Monitor -- search in Finder if you don't know how to find it -- and you'll see all the processes your Mac is carrying out. Click on Mac Defender and hit the big red Quit Process button at the top. Then delete the app.

Read more: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/ma...ck-on-apple-computers-50003812/#ixzz1MpI25qAK

 

[lazy jack]

How does that taste mac owners?

 

[cheezboy]

Windows OS'es have one too. I got the fake Vista defense once. I just put important files in the public folder and deleted my file. No need to put up with all that crap.

 

[DBloke]

You got a easy to get rid of one then.
A few I have came across lock up your system if you try to go into any system files and even if you open the control panel

 

[matheu00]

Thankfully I will never own a mac, and with avast pro 6 as my AV scanner with real time protection I rest assured that I'm safe to browse anywhere I like.....

Don't worry mac users, I'm sure if your mac breaks...lol....you can always get windows pc

 

[DBloke]

No

You will get one sometime.

 

[jeffrocks]

windows forever

 

[DBloke]

Think you mean linux forever :yesnod:

No viruses for that yet

 

[CapnJonas]

How does that taste mac owners?

1: i keep no personal info on my mac.

2: my G3 hardrive is full so nothing can download anyways.

so i'm fine <(^o^)>
i'm just sick of yahoo & youtube forcing obsolescence on us. Flash Player 10?! flash 7 & 8 worked just fine! there was no need to replace them!

 

[ripbandit7]

yea...
i have linux maemo 4 and i got a virus on that the first day reported it to nokia what do i get nothing so i decided to reset the whole thing

 

[anthonybest1]

HAHA my plan is almost finished

 

[DBloke]

yea...
i have linux maemo 4 and i got a virus on that the first day reported it to nokia what do i get nothing so i decided to reset the whole thing

So Linux has one now?

NO OS IS SAFE!!
Maybe Googles, but hat one is poo

 

[Splash_King]

And with this, I lol hard at everyone who said to me "Macs can't be hacked, or get viruses!". Nothing is unhackable.

 

[DBloke]

I dislike Mac fags more than Macs them selfs.
Macs are a decent bit of kit, but Mac fans go on about how good they are to the point where you want to slap them

 

[anthonybest1]

nothing is better the a pc