MySpace Spyware Download, Need Advice

Question

Hi, a few times over the past month when I visit Myspace I have gotten a request to download anti-spyware, I was able to close the safari page, today I accidentally hit the ok button, but no download occurred. Until I hit that button, I could not force quit or leave the page until the dialog box was hit OK.
So my question is, should I be worried, there is no download that is showing up, do you have any idea what this is?
Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

Relax - it's a Mac!
Spyware/malware/trojans: all much the same thing, and some trojans can affect a Mac.
Trojan Detection and Removal
Whilst no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions, the appearance of Trojans that can infect a Mac seems to be growing.
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. One of the first of these was called DNSChanger Trojan and is also known as OSX.RSPlug. A Trojan Horse, the software attacks users attempting to play a fake video file.
Upon attempting to play the video, the victim received the following message:
“Quicktime Player is unable to play movie file.
Please click here to download new version of codec.”
Upon running the installer, the user's DNS records are 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 DNS records stay modified on a minute-by-minute basis.
SecureMac's DNSChanger Removal Tool 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.
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 information on Mac security can be found here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
More on Trojans on the Mac here:
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/63574.html?welcome=1214487119
Recent on the subject, from July 25, 2008, is:
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
There may be other ways of guarding against Trojans, viruses and general malware affecting the Mac, and alternatives will probably appear in the future.
As for virus protection, your Mac needs none, but it is possible to pass on a Windows virus to a Windows user, for example via a forwarded email.
For this reason I would download and install the free utility ClamXav:
http://www.clamxav.com/
which is all you need.
For a variety of reasons, avoid anything made by Norton, as some can conflict with Tiger.