Guys, anyone using a mac should be aware of this if you aren't already: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5244

I have downloaded the latest software updates now and have run a ClamXAV scan (which I have had on my mac for ages) and it found nothing. Just for added peace of mind I have downloaded Sophos anti virus and spyware which receives excellent reviews.

To be fair I have heard that Safari browser is more susceptible to security issues but I use Firefox so hopefully that is better.

Just for info  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Hey Doc - don't tell everyone - some may get upset as 'steam' powered computers couldn't get viruses/trojans  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Just to add some pearls of knowledge - Macs have always been able to get viruses.

It's just that Macs (apple) had such a small share of the market that the virus writers didn't bother.

But now there are so many macbooks, iPhones and iPads going around that they are becoming a more attractive target. 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

thought that was apple;s selling point that is very hard to get viruses on there computers may be not worth all that money now think i will stick to my hp with windows and a good security package  rainy-city
xs

Don't get in a flap about it.

This deliberate attack was highly focused and affected approximately 600,000 Mac's. Only English language configured OX op systems based in banking, commodities and insurance related businesses were targeted, and only those running certain specific financial data exchanges. That represents less than 0.02% of Apple's Mac population and precludes 99.9% of Joe Public's Apple computers. So no need to sound the general alarm - go to battle stations - or run around like headless chickens.

Compared to porous Windows based operating systems Macs' are by IT security industry benchmarks very robust indeed - but not bomb proof. No IT piece of soft or firmware is. Just remain vigilant at all times, and, be judiciously prudent in your download regime.

Cheers Athelstan  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

athelstan wrote:

Don't get in a flap about it.

~clip~ That represents less than 0.02% of Apple's Mac population and precludes 99.9% of Joe Public's Apple computers. So no need to sound the general alarm - go to battle stations - or run around like headless chickens.

~clip~

So there's a whole host of cherries ripe for the picking! Brace yourselves guys! Takes the heat off micro$oft users then for a while  Freelander 1 TD4 HSE - gone, 2 weeks after the Cat.Converter!
Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto MY08 - Santorini black

In my 20+ years of using Apple Mac's, the only time I have come across a virus must have been at least 17 years ago and that was when I used anti-virus software.

No problems since I stopped using any such software since. This also makes me think that some virsus' are made by anti-virus companies.
After-all, the Russian company that announced this issue has seen a mark-up of 28000% in sales!

Unfortunately as Apple are now a lot more popular, then there will be more of these 'attacks'. As mentioned before, just be vigilant.

Also, check for software updates now and again for the latest security patches.

I think it was a malware issues and not a virus???

AiiEEX wrote:

This also makes me think that some virsus' are made by anti-virus companies.
After-all, the Russian company that announced this issue has seen a mark-up of 28000% in sales!

Yes you are right - in IT circles we have often talked about the vulnerability of macs and they often have more holes than competitors. We are fully aware that PC's are like swiss cheese (with holes in it) and so more work has been done to find and publish those holes.

As Micro$oft had/have such a dominant position with offices and homes it was the obvious target for 'botnets'

For those who don't know a 'botnet' is when a special program is installed onto your PC/(mac) which sits dormantly waiting for a signal to activate. When activated it will join a DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack to break/block/destroy a website or service.

It appears at the moment that there are only two situations which seem to be of the best defence against such infection and they are 'linux' and to stay unplugged from the internet (using only genuinely bought software and not sharing files with anyone!)

The other common infection thingy is a data gatherer - recording key strokes and things like account details, username and passwords.

Perhaps it's also worth adding that another BIG issue is that MAC users have had the idea (for a long time) that their computers are immune to viruses and trojans so they haven't bothered with security.....  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

simont wrote:

vulnerability of macs and they often have more holes than competitors.

All complex software can be classed as vulnerable - Windows, OSX, IE, Chrome, Office, Adobe, Adroid etc etc etc - they all are very sophisticated packages with vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Software is written by humans and so is not infallible.
Windows has been the target of choice for those looking (for whatever reason) to find & exploit weaknesses as, has been pointed out, this has been the dominant PC platform for decades. With the rise of mobile platforms & particularly Mac OSX this will change and these emerging platforms will become more attractive to virus writers.
So, Macs have always been vulnerable, just not exploited.
Microsoft (& others) have taken a very high profile approach - working closely with IT security companies to respond to problems, sharing detailed information & pushing out regular patches (via Patch Tuesday) ... Apple seems to be keeping to its low profile " no comment" approach which is fine when you are not particularly targeted but as time passes & Apple become a more attractive target, this approach will no longer wash.
Apple users SHOULD be concerned and SHOULD make noise to ensure Apple don't keep them at arm's length when attacks take place.
In Apple's favour is their tight control over 3rd party SW which reduces the risks of SW incompatibility, vulnerability etc but that won't stop browser & OS exploits growing in number, criticality & impact.
The AV market for OSX isn't anywhere near as well developed as it is for Windows but there are products out there (Sophos takes the most plaudits) that Mac users should look at.
I predict a surge in Apple attacks. Anyone using an Apple MAC product who doesn't have an eye to anti virus should sit up. The embedded browser - Safari - isn't particularly safe from attack. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Which ever way you look at it, Macs are far superior, quick and easy to use. I bought an iMac last year....they say "buy a Mac and never go back" which is very true in my case. I used to get so angry with Microsoft that I found myself doing the whole Victor Meldrew thing and shouting at my computer!  John
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JST wrote:

Which ever way you look at it, Macs are far superior, quick and easy to use.