Apple develops tool to 'detect and remove' Flashback Trojan

Apple has said it is developing a tool to "detect and remove" a Trojan that is said to have infected more than half a million Mac computers.


Apple products have previously been regarded as less susceptible to viruses than Windows PCs


It said it is working with internet service providers (ISPs) to disrupt the command network being used by hackers to exploit the malware.

Trojans are infections that can expose computers to control by hackers.

It is Apple's first statement on the threat. It issued patches to prevent the malware's installation last week.

The two security updates were released eight weeks after Java's developer Oracle issued a fix for other computer systems.

In a message posted on Apple's website's support section, the company said it had fixed a "Java security flaw for systems running OS X v10.7 and Mac OS X v10.6".

It suggested users of Macs running earlier versions of its system software should disable Java in their web browser preferences.

In addition, Apple said it was working with ISPs to shut down networks of servers hosted by the malware authors, which the code - known as Flashback - relies on "to perform many of its critical functions".

Macs 'being targeted'

Russian anti-virus firm Dr Web, which has tracked the scale of the botnet, said it believed around 650,000 machines had now been infected.

According to a timeline of events posted on its website, Dr Web said activity surrounding the virus began as far back as February.

Traditionally, Apple has promoted the fact that its Macintosh line is largely free from viruses and other similar threats due to the fact almost all malicious software is designed to exploit computers running on Microsoft Windows.

McAfee Labs' Dave Marcus told the AFP news agency: "All the stuff the bad guys have learned for doing attacks in the PC world is now starting to transition to the Mac world."

"Mac has said for a long time that they are not vulnerable to PC malware, which is true: they are vulnerable to Mac malware."

The security firm F-Secure has posted detailed instructions about how to confirm if a machine is infected and how to manually remove the Trojan.




11 April 2012 Last updated at 12:27
BBC © 2012
BBC News - Apple develops tool to 'detect and remove' Flashback Trojan

Hope this finally puts the myth that macs don't get viruses to bed for the fanboys.

Originally Posted by j1mgg

Hope this finally puts the myth that macs don't get viruses to bed for the fanboys.

Only a Windows fanboy would say that.

Macs can get viruses, they just happen to be (very)few and (very)far between.

Nar, every Mac uses says that to me as they look down their noses as windows users.

Windows gets knocked because it's the biggest/most successful, people leave Apple the under dog alone... even though they aren't anymore

I know a few mac users and all they do is bang on to me about how superior osx is over windows 7, gets right on my tits!

Moral of the story?

Fanboys of any persuasion are a pain in the arse.

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