Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware'

[ThinkRight]

An investigation by Dr Web suggests that about 600,000 Macs have installed the malware - potentially allowing them to be hijacked and used as a "botnet".

It says that more than half that number are based in the US.

Apple has released a security update, but users who have not installed the patch remain exposed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422
Welcome to the PC world ...
Before there were a lot of macs, it was not worth those hackers time, but now !

 

[OldPaint]

OH MY GOD.....now mac has nothing to brag about)))))

 

[Techman]

Say it ain't so!! Puleeze no. Don't say that.. It is impossible.. It has not happened. MAC's are invulnerable to that.

 

[CS-SignSupply]

One of my clients had a mac infected that was trying to push 3000 emails per hour until his server was shut down by the hosting provider.

He had 3 files quarantined after clicking on a webpage ad of some sort.

 

[ucmj22]

An investigation by Dr Web suggests that about 600,000 Macs have installed the malware - potentially allowing them to be hijacked and used as a "botnet".

It says that more than half that number are based in the US.

Apple has released a security update, but users who have not installed the patch remain exposed.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422
Welcome to the PC world ...
Before there were a lot of macs, it was not worth those hackers time, but now !

this just in... 100% of PC's infected with malware. Microsoft is not available for comment, but has released a statement notifying users that it has no intentions of pushing any updates to fix the problems and encourages users to purchase firewall and antivirus software to limit the amount of daily system failures to just below the level that would couse them to shoot themselves in the face.
:Big Laugh

 

[SightLine]

:ROFLMAO:

Sorry..... cannot help myself....

 

[SignBurst PCs]

Honestly, this is not something that I would like to make light of. 500k users being compromised and violated, no matter what OS they are using, is a BAD thing for all of us.

I wish that all Mac users would understand the potential damage that is possible if/when this kind of thing gets worse and so many systems sit unprotected. As a Mac user, you might consider that Apple does run antivirus software on their own systems in Cupertino.

 

[ucmj22]

#1 reason any OS gets infected is user stupidity, IE going to shady website or clicking on popup.

 

[peavey123]

Well at least apple has addressed it. God, wait until viruses start popping up in tablets, smartphones and...your car...that'll be messy or expensive or both.

 

[SignBurst PCs]

#1 reason any OS gets infected is user stupidity, IE going to shady website or clicking on popup.

Come on, it is not really stupidity in many cases. There are some convincing malware injected/injecting websites out there. It can be very difficult to tell what is legitimate and what is a trick.

Secondly, in this infection, the malware can install with out a password (a Mac's main line of defense against such infections). Just be unlucky enough o click the wrong link and whamo.

 

[ThinkRight]

Well at least apple has addressed it. God, wait until viruses start popping up in tablets, smartphones and...your car...that'll be messy or expensive or both.

You know that "i-cloud" syncing everything automatically is gonna hurt !
Knowing apple and the media, I would bet "every" apple product got infected but mum is the word.

 

[omgsideburns]

wtf is Dr Web?

 

[ThinkRight]

wtf is Dr Web?

http://news.drweb.com/show/?i=2341&lng=en&c=14

 

[Baz]

wtf is Dr Web?

Yeah .. I thought it was an April fools joke with a doctor named like that. But seems legit.

Anyways .. people should really understand that it is important to keep a good anti-virus software running and always keep it updated. Regularly scan for malware and in general be carefull.

It's not just porn sites or hacker sites that are infected. Celebrity websites are among the worst and occasionaly good websites get infected through a third party advertiser. Heck .. even Signs101 gets infected/attacked once in a while.

I guess for those mac users who felt they were safe got a good wake up call. You have a computer ... it can get infected!

 

[Mike F]

Well at least apple has addressed it. God, wait until viruses start popping up in tablets, smartphones and...your car...that'll be messy or expensive or both.

They're already there on tablets and smartphones, have been for awhile now. One of the first apps I installed when I finally got an android a few months ago was avast.

 

[SightLine]

Yup.... popular way to get them is via the "increase your battery life" ads.

They're already there on tablets and smartphones, have been for awhile now. One of the first apps I installed when I finally got an android a few months ago was avast.

Oh and while I do think it's funny that Macs have been targeted pretty bad in this I do feel bad for those who are dealing with it in a business enviorment.

 

[TwoNine]

I hate it when my Apple has worms.....

 

[ucmj22]

guess i'm just lucky, I've had my iMac for 7 years, and no problems to date. 7 iMacs here at the shop for 2 years and no issues. I run a check every 6 months to be prudent, and ... nothin

 

[WildWestDesigns]

guess i'm just lucky, I've had my iMac for 7 years, and no problems to date. 7 iMacs here at the shop for 2 years and no issues. I run a check every 6 months to be prudent, and ... nothin

I've been lucky with my PC as well. No problems to date. I would say more likely then not, it's user stupidity, although, they are getting better at making that stuff look more and more legit.

I just ignore all of it and it's a policy that has served me well.

 

[AnotherSignManiac]

I have always had PCs and never had an issue. Never had an issue at my work computers either. I really think it comes down to user stupidity.