Forums Index >> General >> Mac worm alert!
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We're doomed!@ :[
Thanks for the info a few of use use iChat indeed.
lol can't imagine PCs folks being bombarded by viruses, pop-ups, spywares, etc. One of my friend had so many pop ups he had to erase his HD!
Last edited: Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 4:16:50 PM
Lol, I never use iChat.
Pardon my rudeness, I cannot abide useless people.
Same here inever use ichat but thx anyway
Mobble B)
Mobble
Don't think you're safe, though... You use e-mail and download things. You are a potential virus/worm victim. Be careful out there...
So much for Mac Security.. :[
@Hugo,
FYI for the years and years I have used windows I have not gotten one virus, no major spyware (Mostly just tracking cookies, all systems get them) or popups/adware. I use the ClamWin virus scanner and plenty of free tools.
@Mac users,
This proves that macs can be just as bad security-wise as any other system.
Now stop being so cocky about mac having no viruses. :P There's been mac worms, trojans, and viruses for years. Heck there are even BSD and Linux worms/trojans/viruses. But windows is the most widely used so obviously hackers should target the largest number of end users. If Mac, Linux, or any other OS was the most used there would be just as many viruses for that OS as there are for Windows.
Hooray for us Linux users. We're fairly safe here. :)
Last edited: Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 12:07:14 AM
Please let the all knowing Flea help you by recommending the best synopsis of this situation I've read by directing you here.
Some highlights:
In fact, the Inqtana worm exploits a vulnerability that was patched by Apple eight months ago, so it will only affect you if you don't have your Software Update turned on, and are still using OS X v. 10.3.
All three of these are proof-of-concept and not intended to actually cause harm. All they do is make clear that malware can infect a Mac--which is something we've all known from the start. None will be infecting your computer. So from that perspective, the Mac can still be said to be malware-free (with zero viruses, even in proof-of-concept form).
Does this mean that the Mac is no longer more secure than Windows? Well, consider that Windows malware numbers around 60,000, and that the Mac's security is still intrinsically better than Windows. Even if a hundred actual and harmful Mac viruses were to be released tomorrow, the Mac would still be safer than Windows.
What scares me even worse are Apple system updates. Man, I've had some of them bork my 'puter before. 
{WalMart free for over 24 months!}
Vis-avis Mac system updates
Back around 10.2 I had a kernel panic on my G4 Quicksliver after an incremental install - rare but extremely annoying. Now, in order to avoid problems I do the following:
1) Instead of installing the incremental update go to Apple and download the Combo Update.
2) Repair permissions before and after installing the update.
I have three active Macs and haven't had a problem since
...granpa sluggy the perhaps overly cautious.. 
@ Racer - good for you! But then you're a semi-geek and computer smart.. Windows being so prevalent, lots of non-geek folks simply open attachments, download viruses, etc. With catastrophic results!
Is there some Linux viruses? I have no idea. Tell me.
About
But windows is the most widely used so obviously hackers should target the largest number of end users.
It's true, but my understanding is that windows also has notoriously poor security and serious flaws, in part given the huge complexity of its code... And perhaps bad programming. There's a whole industry out there existing only to cure Windows woes. Hell! Like someone said, If Ford would release a car with so many bug, the company would go bankrupt! :)
^ I searched at McAfee, and found about 460 viruses for Linux... Not bad.
The key is that you have to be a responsible user. Do the scans. Know what you are putting on your machine. Beware websites that put malware on your computer. (I've found Windows viruses on my mac...)
Windows does seem especially open for attack. Mac OS and Linux less so.
Any OS can be messed with, though. I started the thread because some Mac users have a false sense of security.
I love the Mac, but hate the interface issues. I can live w/the rest. I'm a Windows user, and viruses pose nothing new to me. If the interface issues are ever resolved, then you can bet I'll be in the nearest Apple store. I think it is the better machine/OS. Otherwise, the rest is immaterial to me.
What do you mean by "interface issues"?
...granpa sluggy...
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I know we have lots of Mac users out there, so here's some news. Some idiot decided to write a worm that gets in via iChat...
Apple confirmed the existence of a new computer worm that attacks Macintosh computers. Unlike a computer virus, which is self-propagating, a worm can spread only in response to user actions.
The Leap-A worm is disguised as a file that purports to show an upcoming version of Mac OS X, code-named Leopard. It spreads via Apple's iChat instant-messaging software. If a user receives the file, called "latestpics.tgz," and double-clicks to decompress it, then double-clicks a second time on the resulting file, the worm goes into action, sending copies of itself to contacts stored in the user's iChat buddy list. It doesn't appear to take any other malicious action, an Apple spokeswoman said.
source
So if someone sends you latestpics.tgz, don't open it, and it won't hurt you... Remember to do all those things that keep you clear of viruses... Scan e-mail attachments, update your virus software, and so on. Also scan files you get through iChat, Limewire, and anywhere else. Do you scan the files you get from PTT? I do. Always clean so far. Even people you trust can unknowingly send you viruses. (This worm sends itself to your buddy list.)
(I'm constantly finding the ColdApe virus in Word files... The people who send them have no clue about these things.)
McAfee's list of worms/viruses that effect OS X (short list... For now)
Last edited: Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 4:12:15 PM