Apple computers target of malware attack

Well lots like some intrepid individual finally started taking a bite of Apple...

Michael Lewis - Thu Apr 05 2012

A malware outbreak called Flashback Trojan that has infected more than 650,000 Apple Inc. computers has likely peaked, says the director of a Russia-based antivirus vendor that has been charting the cyber-attack.

“The main wave is over,” said Boris Sharov, chief executive of Doctor Web, Ltd.

He noted that Apple issued two automatic security updates this week to remove the virus that allows host computers to be controlled by remote attackers. He said users who did not activate the patch will need to attempt to manually remove the infection, or employ a security firm to scan and disinfect the Macintosh operating system.

Sharov said the virus has focused on Apple computers in North America, with more than 303,000 hit in the U.S. and another 106,379 in Canada. He said the focus suggests cybercriminals are interested in directing users to English-language pay sites to generate revenue for online advertisers.

Sharov said Dr. Web sent a message to the intruder’s control server with a unique ID to identify and determine the number of infected PCs. He added that the malicious control servers have since been shut down and said there is no evidence of theft of personal data.

Dr Web said the Java virus exploits a Mac OS X vulnerability to direct the users to one of more than four million bogus websites. The sites contain a virus code written in an unknown computer language that can access Macs from a remote server without a password.

The installed software can then hijack administrative functions and potentially obtain passwords and other personal data to be transmitted to central servers.

Dr. Web said 274 of the infected computers it detected appeared to be in Cupertino, California, where Apple’s headquarters is located.

Sharov added that the attack should finally dispel the notion that the Mac OS is cyber-threat immune, particularly compared to Microsoft Windows machines.

Sharov said the Mac has been infected by few viruses because it has commanded a comparatively small share of the desktop operating system market.

“Tech types knew [the purported invulnerability of Macs] was a fallacy, but consumers ate it up enough to make Macs a fifth of the PC market,” Andrew Nusca of ZD Net said on a blog site. “OS X remains a minority around the globe, but its growth in popularity begets growth in attacks. It was only a matter of time.”

...this goes to prove that CP/M is still the most secure operating system out there!

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