Trojan Virus from Song Lyrics?

So I went to look up song lyrics and an ad popped up. I clicked the "X" in the corner and suddenly it opened up a new tab with a Safari window telling me that my "PC" had caught a trojan virus that could access my log-in information (I'm using a MacBook Pro). It also said not to fix the problem manually because it could cause my data to crash. It also gave me a shady website/number to call for help (I didn't contact them). Did I seriously download a virus of that nature, or does the scam reside in the contact information? If I am in trouble, what can I do?

Be sure to read Klaus's tips on viruses, trojans, etc. and see that you have covered his suggestions.

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I got the Trojan virus on my G56 Notebook PC, tried AVG to remove it hasn't worked!!!

Can I get some assistance in removing this #^%$#%@$ Trojan Virus from my laptop... HELP!!!
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Welcome Natty.
Please take a look at this site.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix#uninstall
The link to download then run COMBOFIX is there.
You can get one or more of the online rep's to help you on there forum if needed..
They are the best for a virus removal.
Hope this helps.
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Hebrew language is shown gibberish in songs lyrics

Hi,
I have just got my new iPhone 5.After syncing the new device with iTunes, all songs lyrics in Hebrew are now shown in gibberish and cannot be read.
I have re-checked the songs info and these show the text correctly.
I was using iPhone 4 and never had this problem.
HELP anyone?
Thanks!

I tried the "convert ID3 tags >> Reverse Unicode" option on a few songs. It only caused the gibberish song names and titles to change to different gibberish.
The odd thing is that I have some songs that had english in some ID3 tags (such as "name") and Japanese in other ID3 tags (such as "artist") and for those, the Japanese text looks great. And yet some song text doesn't.
I tried deleting a few songs from the iTunes Music library, then click-and-drag the songs from Windows' My Music folder into the iTunes program. It adds it back with the Japanese text still unreadable, same as before.
I don't know what else to do. I've searched the discussions database here and found instances of the same problem but no fixes.
Thanks for the help though, and I'd be glad to see any other ideas.
Erin

What app will let me organize multiple pdfs so I can put song lyric pdfs in the order I sing them

I want to use my iPad to view my song lyrics in pdf form as I perform. I'd like to be able to customize the order in which the pdfs are stored so that I can have a different set of songs for different shows. I also want to just swipe from song #1 to song #2 in my set so don't have to search for a thing while onstage. Did I mention I want to be able to change the order of songs in the set and also have multiple sets in a night. 3 sets of 10 to 12 songs each show with the ability to change the order of songs/pdfs for each show. I also have a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 4s and I can use dropbox or iCloud or many other storage options if this helps. I'd like to be sure how many pdfs I can store in my iPad also since not all of my shows have wifi connections.

You can try Quickoffice Pro
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/Diavonex/fb272a97.jpg
http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee374/Diavonex/d48eadf9.jpg

How do I get song lyrics to display?

How do I get song lyrics to display on my iPod Touch 4g and iPad 2?
The lyrics are in iTunes. They do display on my iPod Touch 2g.
I did try a reset on the iPod Touch 4g, but did not fix problem.
Thanks to anybody who can help
Scott
Los Angeles

lekker wrote:
I can't get the word "Lyrics" to display. Is there a way to do this? I'm wondering what "Off" refers to.
The word "lyrics" is never displayed, but if you paste lyrics into a song, they'll be shown when you press the centre button "enough" times. Note that if there are _no lyrics_ associated with the song (because you didn't put them there) the "button pushes" will take you from On/Off (the shuffle feature) to Play - no mention of lyrics!
I hope that helps!

How can I see song lyrics in iOS 5.0?

Before updating my iPad 2, I could see lyrics for the song playing just by touch the screen in "iPod" app (the screen in which the album cover appears). But now I can't see the lyrics at all, and I'm sure they're attached to the songs (I can see them in my iPod nano 5th; I sync the same songs between iPad and iPod). How can I do it now? Is there some way of seeing the lyrics, or the functionality was removed at all?
And, of course, is there anyone else having this same problem?
Thank you all =D

This may be a bug for all that I know but I am too cynical to believe that.
From everything that I have read, it appears as though Apple did remove the feature. What the reasons could be for that are beyond me. And I did find the paragraph that states that feature exists in the iPad. I copied this from the iPad User Guide for iOS 5. The free book that I downloaded in iBooks.
"Display a song’s lyrics
Display the album cover by tapping the thumbnail at the top of the screen. Lyrics appear if you’ve added them to the song using the song’s Info window in iTunes."
However, who knows with Apple anymore. Case in point - Apple changed the wording on their website about multitouch gestures being one of the new features of iOS 5, a day or two after the update came out. They decided to release the feature to work on the iPad 2 only - even though the website promoted the feature as being one of the new features for the "iPad" for months leading up to the release - leading all users to believe that it would work on the iPad 1 as well. I don't know if you read any of those threads but the screaming is finally starting to die down on that one.
My point is that even thought the guide says that the song lyrics works, I have not read of anyone that can confirm that it does. Maybe someone else will confirm that the feature is in the iOS, but I don't believe that it is. So for the time being - for me anyway - it is not a bug - but another "why did they do that" decision by Apple.

Can't close Firefox after eradicating Fake.Trojan virus

Got infected with Fake.Trojan virus today while surfing email via Firefox. Successfully used Malwarebytes to clean up the mess but some carnage remains. On a WIn7 platform.
During infection and since eradication I keep getting this message, "Firefox is already running, but is not responding. To open a new window, you must first close the existing Firefox process, or restart your system."
Tried the following to no avail --
1. Task Manager - The Firefox process doesn't show up.
2. Restarting the PC - Same problem;
3. Uninstalling & Reinstalling - Same problem; says it need to close first.
4. Finding/fixing the Profile - %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\ not found.
5. Call to tech support at AVG - They've never seen this. They recommend a full reinstall of Windows (Ugh - don't even know where the disks are!).
Any help welcome. Thanks. -j philly

Thank you for the tip. I had already tried your suggestion but based on it decided to take a closer look. I also did a YouTube lookup using IE.
But my first stop was to run that lengthy ChkDsk program to make sure all was structurally sound after the virus. I also bought the Pro version of Malwarebytes to take security even higher.
I went to YouTube because I was having a hard time finding that profile folder the solution you gave me referenced. Answer that worked for me: Don't use the Start button to find your Profile, use your desktop explorer starting with your Users directory and drill down from there. Learned that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRUgxlo4U4w&feature=related (Note: The speaker and video quality isn't great but his intent is good and his message had enough helpful content to get me started. Ohers may feel the same way.)
Within the comments section replying to the above-referenced YouTube video, I then found one person who wrote this --
"If your Firefox locks up with this error as the result of a "virus" which also happened to hide all your files and desktop icons, then none of these crap Windows XP 'fixes'on YOUTUBE will work.
In 2012, you will need to install Google Chrome, make it your default browser/import bookmarks etc. Then run Firefox while Chrome is open, and Firefox will suddenly be unlocked! 8-) Amazing!!! Then just disarm Google Chrome and uninstall it, and you will have your Firefox back."
His message wasn't so kind, but I did try his solution and it worked! All appears better.
Thank you again to the community for assistance today and to jscher2000 in particular for taking the time. - j philly

Song lyrics won't update in iTunes

There's a persistent piece of text that is not willing to leave the lyrics on a certain album of mine. The lyrics do show up correctly for those songs that have lyrics, but for the instrumental songs where there are no lyrics, this piece of text always appears, even though i erase it from the lyrics tab. The same text also appears on ALL of the songs in the album on my iPhone 4S. I have tried several times deleting the songs and adding them back to the library and my iPhone, but it hasn't worked. I have also tried an extrenal ID3 tag editor, but that also didn't work. Is there any way to get my lyrics to update to the correct ones on my iPhone as well as to remove the piece of text appearing all over my instrumental songs.

I've got the same problem. Both in Windows and on my iBook... Both are running iTunes 4.7.1. I talked to a friend of mine and she's running 5.0.1 with no problems.
I did try "add album" and it shows up in my shopping cart, but the items i had in there before are also invisible. (The add to the total cost, but aren't listed in the song list.) Even empty is says the total cost is near $16, but i can't click on Buy.
I'm guessing they've decided to force us to upgrade to 6...

Request: song lyrics in Zen X-Fi 2

I would like to see support to song lyrics?

Can I transfer playlists created by Windows Media Player or existing WMP playlists to ZEN X-Fi2 using its sync function?
No, the ZEN X-Fi2 is classified as an MSC device and if you sync Windows Media playlists from Windows Media Player to the ZEN X-Fi2, it will transfer only the songs and not the actual playlist.
Additionally, the Creative Centrale does not have the feature to import playlists from Windows Media Player to transfer them to the ZEN X-Fi2.
It is recommended to create playlists either from the player itself or Creative Centrale to ensure proper playback.

Pop Up on a Website = Trojan/Virus?

Hi there,
I was hoping someone could help me figure out if I may have a virus/trojan/adware! I'm only a few months into my first Mac, so I have no clue how viruses function on Mac computers!
I was browsing the internet and went to a website that I know is legitimate (about The Sims :P), clicked a link on it, and was redirected to a website called 'sitevillian - online protection'. A pop up window appeared (along with a tiny new browser window) with no option except to press 'ok' (I think it was 'offering' online protection), so I did. It opened a website that said 'initializing' and had a loading screen. I quickly clicked out of it.
Interestingly, when I go back to my original website and click the same link, it directs me perfectly to the right page! I have no idea why this 'site villain' page loaded that one time.
I'm so scared that my pretty new macbook has some sort of trojan on it! Is there a way to know if there's a virus? I'm pretty sure nothing downloaded (at least to the downloads folder), but I don't know if things can download without your knowledge, or where to look to see if there's a problem, or what symptoms to expect or whether you can even get viruses from webpages on macs (especially when you click out of them quickly)!
Thanks for any help you guys can provide!

Hello Kath:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
There are NO documented viruses that affect a Mac running OS X - none.
There are occasional (very infrequent) reports of browser hijacks. You visit Barbie dolls and you are sent to XXXX stuff. That is rare, and if it happens, post here and someone will help you.
Sit back and relax and enjoy your Mac One of the great benefits of running on a Mac platform is the comfort level.
Incidentally, i suggest you do not run A/V software. That stuff catches air and can cause performance problems.
Do activate the built-in OS X firewall to prevent web intrusion. (system preferences>security>firewall)
Barry
P.S. Another very good feature is that OS X will require a password before you install anything that affects the operating system.
Message was edited by: Barry Hemphill

Finding virus from norton

Hi
Norton tells me I have a virus in my pop folder with a number (44826.emix) which I have deleted but it is also in my back up hard drive, what I would like to know is how do I find the e-mail with the virus as none have a number, the number is 44826.emix I have looked for this in mail but nothing, is it possible to find the offending e-mail?
Thanks for any help.

No, Trojans can infect a Mac if you allow them to be installed.
No viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions.
Do not be tricked by 'scareware' that attempts computer users to download fake anti-virus software that may itself be malware. More on that here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8313678.stm
Beware of PDF files from unknown sources. A security firm announced that by its counting, malicious Reader documents made up 80% of all exploits at the end of 2009.:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9157438/RoguePDFs_account_for_80_of_all_exploits_saysresearcher
It is possible, however, to pass on a Windows virus to another Windows user, for example through an email attachment. To prevent this all you need is the free anti-virus utility ClamXav, which you can download for Tiger and Leopard from:
http://www.clamxav.com/
The new version for Snow Leopard is available here:
http://www.clamxav.com/index.php?page=v2beta
(Note: ClamAV adds a new user group to your Mac. That makes it a little more difficult to remove than some apps. You’ll find an uninstaller link in ClamXav’s FAQ page online.)
However, the appearance of Trojans and other malware that can possibly infect a Mac seems to be growing, but is a completely different issue to viruses.
If you allow a Trojan to be installed, the user's DNS records can be modified, redirecting incoming internet traffic through the attacker's servers, where it can be hijacked and injected with malicious websites and pornographic advertisements. The trojan also installs a watchdog process that ensures the victim's (that's you!) DNS records stay modified on a minute-by-minute basis.
You can read more about how, for example, the OSX/DNSChanger Trojan works here:
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/trojanosxdnschanger.shtml
SecureMac has introduced a free Trojan Detection Tool for Mac OS X. It's available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
The DNSChanger Removal Tool detects and removes spyware targeting Mac OS X and allows users to check to see if the trojan has been installed on their computer; if it has, the software helps to identify and remove the offending file. After a system reboot, the users' DNS records will be repaired.
(Note that a 30 day trial version of MacScan can be downloaded free of charge from:
http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
and this can perform a complete scan of your entire hard disk. After 30 days free trial the cost is $29.99. The full version permits you to scan selected files and folders only, as well as the entire hard disk. It will detect (and delete if you ask it to) all 'tracker cookies' that switch you to web sites you did not want to go to.)
A white paper has recently been published on the subject of Trojans by SubRosaSoft, available here:
http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&cPath=11&productsid=174
Also, beware of MacSweeper:
MacSweeper is malware that misleads users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer. It is the first known "rogue" application for the Mac OS X operating system. The software was discovered by F-Secure, a Finland based computer security software company on January 17, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacSweeper
On June 23, 2008 this news reached Mac users:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/23/mac_trojan/
More on Trojans on the Mac here:
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63574.html?welcome=1214487119
This was published on July 25, 2008:
Attack code that exploits flaws in the net's addressing system are starting to circulate online, say security experts.
The code could be a boon to phishing gangs who redirect web users to fake bank sites and steal login details.
In light of the news net firms are being urged to apply a fix for the loop-hole before attacks by hi-tech criminals become widespread.
Net security groups say there is anecdotal evidence that small scale attacks are already happening.
Further details here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7525206.stm
A further development was the Koobface malware that can be picked up from Facebook (already a notorious site for malware, like many other 'social networking' sites like Twitter etc), as reported here on December 9, 2008:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7773000/7773340.stm
You can keep up to date, particularly about malware present in some downloadable pirated software, at the Securemac site:
http://www.securemac.com/
There may be other ways of guarding against Trojans, viruses and general malware affecting the Mac, and alternatives will probably appear in the future. In the meantime the advice is: be careful where you go on the web and what you download!
If you think you may have acquired a Trojan, and you know its name, you can also locate it via the Terminal:
http://theappleblog.com/2009/04/24/mac-botnet-how-to-ensure-you-are-not-part-of- the-problem/
As to the recent 'Conficker furore' affecting Intel-powered computers, MacWorld recently had this to say:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?email&NewsID=25613
Although any content that you download has the possibility of containing malicious software, practising a bit of care will generally keep you free from the consequences of anything like the DNSChanger trojan.
1. Avoid going to suspect and untrusted Web sites, especially p'orn'ography sites.
2. Check out what you are downloading. Mac OS X asks you for you administrator password to install applications for a reason! Only download media and applications from well-known and trusted Web sites. If you think you may have downloaded suspicious files, read the installer packages and make sure they are legit. If you cannot determine if the program you downloaded is infected, do a quick Internet search and see if any other users reported issues after installing a particular program.
3. Use an antivirus program like ClamXav. If you are in the habit of downloading a lot of media and other files, it may be well worth your while to run those files through an AV application.
4. Use Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.
5. Stop using LimeWire. LimeWire (and other peer-to-peer sharing applications) are hotbeds of potential software issues waiting to happen to your Mac. Everything from changing permissions to downloading trojans and other malicious software can be acquired from using these applications. Similar risks apply to using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and similar sites which are prone to malicious hacking: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8420233.stm
6. Resist the temptation to download pirated software. After the release of iWork '09 earlier this year, a Trojan was discovered circulating in pirated copies of Apple's productivity suite of applications (as well as pirated copies of Adobe's Photoshop CS4). Security professionals now believe that the botnet (from iServices) has become active. Although the potential damage range is projected to be minimal, an estimated 20,000 copies of the Trojan have been downloaded. SecureMac offer a simple and free tool for the removal of the iBotNet Trojan available here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/files/iServicesTrojanRemovalTool.dmg
Last but not least, there is the potential for having your entire email contact list stolen for use for spamming:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/technology/internet/20shortcuts.html?_r=1

Can windows computers get viruses from a mac on the same network?

Hi,
I am using a Powerbook G4 powerPC running OSX 10.3. My current employers think that my computer is giving their system viruses by being hooked up to their network. The network is all windows, and I can't actually see their computers on the network. All I can do is connect to the internet.
As is my understanding, which could be wrong, a) there are virtually no viruss for Apple computers, b) any virus for an apple computer cannot effect a Windows computer, and c) Mac computers do not act as carriers for viruses written for Windows, and as long as I'm not downloading anything I shouldn't (which I don't, virtually every file on my computer either came with the installation disk or was created on my computer). Is there any way I can actually be giving them viruses that would effect a windows machine? And if so, is there any way to protect against that?

The only way you can be giving coworkers a virus from your Mac is if you forward one to them in an email. Well, either that are directly copying it to their PC. For you topic questions:
a) Actually, there are none. At least not yet. A few Trojans, but no viruses.
b) Correct. Wrong machine code. They wouldn't run even if you did send them an older virus (one of a couple dozen Mac viruses from OS 9 and earlier)
c) Not as you describe. But you can be a carrier via email. Even there, you have to accidentally or knowingly send it to them. A Windows virus cannot self propagate from your Mac as it can in Windows.
This all assuming your are using your Mac only as a Mac and not running Windows through Virtual PC or in some other way. If you are, then the Windows environment will be every bit as vulnerable as it would be on typical PC hardware.

Can my MacPro get viruses from explicit sites

I just wanted to know If my Macbook Pro can get any viruses from viewing **** sites? I've heard from many people that Apple computers cannot get viruses, and from looking it up on google, i've heard that they can get viruses from them.

Mac OS X versions 10.6.7 and later have built-in detection of known Mac malware in downloaded files. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware.
The most effective defense against malware is your own intelligence. All known malware that affects a fully-updated installation of Mac OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of trojans, which can only work if the victim is duped into running them. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. How do you know a source is untrustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown site, merely in order to use the site, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim.
“Cracked” versions of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.
Disable Java (not JavaScript) in your web browser(s). Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This setting is mandatory in Mac OS X 10.5.8 or earlier, because Java in those versions has bugs that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. Those bugs will probably never be fixed, because those older operating systems are no longer being maintained by Apple. Migrate to a newer version of the Mac OS as soon as you can.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
Never install any commercial "anti-virus" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use ClamXav — nothing else.

Trojan / Virus accessing email contacts

Looking for some help please.
For the past two days emails are being sent from my hotmail account, though I haven't sent them. The emails are really random and are being sent to all my contacts in my address book and am thinking is it possible a Trojan/Virus may have attached itself to my contacts. I have changed my hotmail password without success. Is there any anti-software which can be used to check if I have a Trojan/Virus? Should I take it to an apple store?
Thank you

There is no malware capable of infecting any iOS device (iPad, iPhone, etc), so this is definitely not malware. What has undoubtedly happened is that your e-mail account has been hacked. See the information here:
Someone is sending messages from my e-mail address!
(Note that this page was written for Mac users, so information that page contains regarding malware is not applicable to your iOS device.)

Does Trojan Virus Works on Mac?

Hey guys, i've downloaded a file from safari, and i've tried to open it up but all of a sudden my shophos anti-virus just pops and say there's a trojan virus with a 1/5 danger.
If i'm right, i remember macs are "virus-free", and trojans are PC virus which shouldn't work on Mac.
Please help!!

1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets (see below.)
It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been another layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't actually been tested by Apple (unless it comes from the Mac App Store), but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. For most practical purposes, applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed can be considered safe.
Gatekeeper has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could find some other way to evade Apple's controls.
For more information about Gatekeeper, see this Apple Support article.
4. Beyond XProtect and Gatekeeper, there’s no benefit, in most cases, from any other automated protection against malware. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. All known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source. How do you know whether a source is trustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "archive extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn users who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
5. Java on the Internet (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page. Its developers have had a lot of trouble getting it to do this without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style "virus" in OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. A separate Java installer is distributed by Apple, and another one by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. At the moment, the Oracle version is blocked by Apple because of known security flaws that make it unsafe to use on the Internet. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers. In Safari, this is done by unchecking the box marked Enable Java in the Security tab of the preferences dialog. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you probably won’t be missing much.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a specific task, enable Java only when needed for the task and disable it immediately when done. Close all other browser windows and tabs, and don't visit any other sites while Java is active. Eliminate Java from your online workflow whenever possible. If a web page prompts you to use Java to do something that can be done without it, such as streaming video or downloading files, don't.
Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.
6. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software ClamXav — nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
7. ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
ClamXav is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
ClamXav may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
8. The greatest harm done by anti-virus software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging threats, but they get a false sense of security from it, and then they may behave in ways that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

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