Osx malware

is this something we need to be concerned about in the usa at this time?
http://www.sfgate.com/business/technology/article/Cybersecurity-firm-IDs-new-App le-targeting-malware-5875155.php

Like virtually all other current Mac malware, it's a Trojan. And as usual, it's attached to illegal downloads of commercial software. You install an illegal copy of (example) Photoshop, and the malware gets installed along with it. This is also how the flood of adware problems you see posted on these boards mainly gets installed. Torrent downloads.
In this case, WireLurker first gets on OS X by installing an infected software download. Once on the Mac, WireLurker then watches for an iOS device to be connected to the Mac, and uploads Trojans to the iPhone or iPad.
Once again, the moral of the story is "Don't download, install, or use illegal software".

Similar Messages

Acmcneill1ug 14, 2014 7:16 AM I have IMac OSX 10.9.4, 4GB,Processor 3.06 with Intell2Duo. I would like to check for Malware. I run a TechTool Pro 6 every month and that comes up great. When check how much memory I am using, with only Safar

Acmcneill1ug 14, 2014 7:16 AM
I have IMac OSX 10.9.4, 4GB,Processor 3.06 with Intell2Duo. I would like to check for Malware. I run a TechTool Pro 6 every month and that comes up great.
When check how much memory I am using, with only Safari open I am using 3.9 and more of her 4.0 memory. She is very. very slow in processing. I had 4000
trash to clean out and it took her over an hour to expel. Also for some reason Safari will not allow me to click on a link, in my G-mail, and let it go to the page.
It has a sign saying a pop-up blocker is on and will not let me do it. I must open the stamp to look at my e-mails and if I have redirected link now I can do it.
I have not changed my preferences so where is this pop-up blocker?
I have looked at preferences on Safari and Google, which I do not understand Google, and do not see where this blocker could be.
Malware is something I want to make sure is not on my computer. Tech Tool Pro 6 is all I know of and it does not detect Malware.
Help.
Ceil

Try Thomas Reed's Adware removal tool. He posts extensively in the communities.
Malware Guide - Adware
Malware Discussion

I had all my software, including my 'Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium' removed from my MacPro (OSX 10.10.2) by a Computer technician after I had inadvertently installed some malware. Now I can't reinstall my CS4 because the installer software wants m

I had all my software, including my ‘Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design Premium’ removed from my MacPro (OSX 10.10.2) by a Computer technician after I had inadvertently installed some malware.
Now I can’t reinstall my CS4 because the installer software wants me to identify the product from which I am upgrading, but mine isn’t on the list. The old product from which I am upgrading is called ‘Adobe Design Collection’. Furthermore, it has 4 serial numbers (one each for Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat and Illustrator), not just one, as the installer requires.
I know this can be done, as I have had it working for a long time. Am I doing something wrong now?

Contact support be web chat and have them generate a working temporary serial/ challenge code for the install.
Mylenium

Using OSX 10.6.8, recently been having popups, think it's adware/malware from MediaDownloader, one of the first pop ups to occur. The second pop up to occur was Trojanalert. Never had a virus on this computer. Please help remove.

I'm currently using OSX 10.6.8, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM Memory. I am not able to upgrade the operating system, and the computer still has 67 GB of memory on the harddrive. I don't use it for anything very intense, mostly internet browsing. I was at a hotel over the weekend and connected to their free wifi. Once back home, two days later, I started receiving pop ups in Chrome. The first was MediaDownloader, so I assume that is the culprit. The second pop up to occur was Trojanalert. I looked through some online community forums and was pointed towards downloading and running AdwareMedic. My operating system does not support this program. Next I read up on how to examine libraries and extensions to find the issue. I'm not well versed in this, but I followed the directions and did not find any malicious looking extensions or items in the libraries. Before looking for the "thing" to remove, I backed up my computer as recommended.
I have never, to my knowledge, had a virus on this computer. I have never experienced pop ups, and I very rarely download any program, especially not software included with other programs.
Could someone recommend a virus/adware/malware utility that will find and remove this issue or provide me with a detailed set of instructions on how to find the issue and then correct it? Are there free online scans or removal tools that are trusted and could help? Also, if I should be posting this somewhere else, please let me know. I have not used this community tool much at all. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

First, thanks for the quick response. This is the website that I looked at and was trying to follow. There are no extensions listed in my Safari, and the only two in Chrome are: Google Docs and Java for Browsing. In Firefox the only extension is Garmin Communicator 4.1.0.
To the best of my novice ability I followed the directions to look at the libraries and have not found malicious things there either. As I cannot upgrade to 10.7, is there anything else I'm missing? Again, I've tried my best to locate the cause, but I'm new to looking at files and paths. Nothing jumps out as abnormal or as something listed on thesafemac.com/arg .

I believe that i have malware on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? please help. :-).

i believe that i have malware (possible highjack of safari browser) on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? i have symnatic endpoint and, after scanning, it reveals nothing. please help. :-).

are locked user files or that have incorrect permission a bad thing?
Yes.
why am i removing symantec?
Short answer: Because it's worse than useless and worse than the imaginary "viruses" you're afraid of would be if they really existed. For the long answer, see below.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. 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 computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
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. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; 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.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second 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 necessarily been tested by Apple, 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. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It 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 simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, 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 scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (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, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it 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 affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its 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, commercial AV 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 may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. 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.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in everyemail attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
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.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Will re-installing OSX and enabling Save Settings kill virus' and malwares?

Hello
My web pages are slow to load sometimes and I'm wondering if I have a virus or malware that is doing it.
I don't want to use virus checkers or malware checkers because I've heard they are themselves used by the virus writers to plant virus' and malwares.
So my question is; If I re-install OSX while enabling Save Existing Settings, will that remove any virus' and malwares if they are on my Mac?
Thanks for your help.

As there are no viruses for Mac OS X it is extremely unlikely that this is your problem, so let's concentrate on your slow page loading.
Firstly, you need a minimum of 10.5.7 (10.5.8 is better) to run Safari 4.0.3. You show you are using an earlier version of leopard.
Post back if you are not using Safari.
But to answer your direct question: just possibly, so read the following first:
No viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions.
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 from:
http://www.clamxav.com/
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 information on Mac security can be found here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/
The MacScan application can be downloaded from here:
http://macscan.securemac.com/buy/
You can download a 30 day trail copy which enables you to do a full scan of your hard disk. After that it costs $29.95.
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), 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 *********** 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.
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

What is 'OSX/Conduit.A' malware? and why is it affecting my file 'ct_scripting.rsrc'?

I am running Virus Barrier X6 on my MacBook Pro with OSX 10.8.5. I got a message that a virus was detected and that file ct_scripting.rsrc was infected with the 'OSX/Conduit.A' malware. Virus Barrier appears unable to repair the file and my only option was to quarantine it. Since doing so my computer has been running like a dog. Does anyone know what this is all about and what I have to do to fix it. Any help much appreciated.

You should not allow anti-virus software to remove stuff like this. It can make a mess. For removal, see the Conduit removal section of my Adware Removal Guide.
Note that, although VirusBarrier is really good at detecting Mac malware (and potentially unwanted applications, like Conduit), it's a bit heavy-handed and can cause system performance issues. I'd advise trying to uninstall it, and see if that improves your system's performance. To uninstall it, you need to run the original installer, which has an uninstall button. If you no longer have the original installer, re-download it.

How do I check for virus or malware on mac osx 10.5.8 safari ?

How do I check my mac osx 10.5.8 safari leopard for virus or malware?

Hello,
ClamXAV, free Virus scanner...
http://www.clamxav.com/
Free Sophos...
http://www.sophos.com/products/enterprise/endpoint/security-and-control/mac/
Little Snitch, stops/alerts outgoing stuff...
http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html

OSX 10.9 Mail Virus or Malware?

Hi im running OSX 10.9 on a macbook pro and i seem to have some sort of virus in mail. It keeps emailing hundreds of people from my email address and i keep getting bounce back messages. its now gone so far that my email host has shut my address down.
How can i remove this malware????
Thank you

I cant see them in my sent items and i cant get onto the webmail to check. The emails i get say this ...... I have hunbdreds of them flooding my inbox.
This message was created automatically by mail delivery software.
A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its
recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:
[email protected]
   SMTP error from remote mail server after end of data:
   host mta6.am0.yahoodns.net [66.196.118.35]: 554 delivery error:
   dd Sorry your message to [email protected] cannot be delivered. This account has been disabled or discontinued [#102]. - mta1342.mail.bf1.yahoo.com
------ This is a copy of the message, including all the headers. ------
Return-path: <[email protected]>
Received: from [46.253.85.254] (helo=vipontqrs)
    by mail75.extendcp.com with esmtpa (Exim 4.80.1)
    id 1W2H8R-0004ZK-4c; Sun, 12 Jan 2014 09:15:12 +0000
From: chris@XXXXXXcom
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: Puny Pharm
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 03:10:06 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
    format=flowed;
    charset="iso-8859-5";
    reply-type=original
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
X-Priority: 3
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.5931
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.6157
http://InnoGam.es/byeJ

Can you be infected with the OSX Flashback-8 malware with OSX 10.8.5?

So I have a iMac that i bought during the Snow Leapord OSX period. Today I happened to find out that it was infected with the Flashback 8 malware that ClamXav detected. I did all the removal instructions by downoading the software updates. Something tbh I shouldve done ages ago. To cut to the point, I also have a Macbook that i bought 2 months ago with Mountain Lion ofcourse, can that Flashback malware effect any computers with Mountain Lion or any Mac after the update Apple released that removes the malware? If so what updates are there for people who bought Macbooks or Desktops after the update was released?

Back in the Spring of 2011 Dr. Web and Kaspersky estimated that over 600,000 Macs were infected through the Flashback backdoor and at least being re-directed to advertising sites. There were theories that other functions could be downloaded into infected Macs, but at the time nothing else was found to be occurring. Most of the infected Macs in the resulting Flashback botnet were disinfected through various means, including the afore mentioned Apple MRT that was distributed with each new Security and Java update.
Intego owns one of the servers and periodically monitors the network for infected Macs that check in to see what they should be doing. Back in January they estimated that there were still 22K infected Macs checking in.
Their expressed concern (they are trying to sell software) was that some malware gang would take over the botnet when current licenses expire next year and use the network in some way.
Why there are still that many infected Macs out there is anybody's guess. I suppose there could be that many users who haven't kept their OS up-to-date. It's possible that some of the WordPress blog sites that were used to initially infect Macs were never cleaned up, so any user with Java turned on in their browser visiting one of those sites could still be newly infected. In those cases, only the communications module would have been installed, so they aren't fully infected nor would they even be registered as having been infected, but would still be trying to check a server.

Does the latest osx update remove the flashback malware

Does the latest osx update remove the flashback malware?

From Thomas A. Reed's post:
There is malware (called Flashback) that has been actively taking advantage of Java vulnerabilities on Macs, installing as a drive-by download with no user interaction required when visiting a malicious web site. Apple's latest Java update patches these vulnerabilities, though it's still possible for that malware to use social exploits to trick you into installing it. You would do best to turn off Java in your web browser... you probably won't miss it at all.
See:
http://www.reedcorner.net/news.php?tag=flashback

Bootcamp has stopped recognizing that it has a modem. Drivers are up to date, no malware, modem works fine in OSx.

I use OSx for work-related purposes, but my family uses bootcamp. This has worked well for us for about 2 years.
About three weeks ago, bootcamp suddenly started struggling with the wireless internet connection...lots of little drops usually (but not always) followed by quick reacquisitions. This problem did not (and does not) occur in OSx or for any other device in our house.
I looked into the drivers, and they were all up to date. I then initiated a scortched earth campaign of antivirus and malware detection, thinking maybe something snuck in via my son's Steam account or whatever....but this actually brought up nothing at all. Still, the problem continued.
And then, early yesterday, bootcamp stopped recognizing that it even has a wireless modem (in the middle of a session; the computer booted up with internet, then the modem "vanished" after 30-40 minutes). It now only recognizes ethernet cables as a viable internet source.
OSx, again, continues to work fine.

Can you check Control Panel -> Hardware -> Network Adapters and post a screen shot? If it it works correctly in OSX, the hardware is fine. It must be a driver update? Is Windows setup for Automatic Updates.
One option is to find the appropriate BC drivers using System requirements to install Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp - Apple Support and then Boot Camp: Install or repair Boot Camp drivers to go back to the original Apple drivers.

I have a macbook that has malware on it. If I reinstall OSX mavericks will it get rid of the Malware?

I was going on a road trip over the weekend with friends and for something to watch, I tried pirating a movie. It only had around 10 leachers/seeders so wasn't downloading that fast. So I decided not to bother and stopped the download. Now everytime I click on a webpage, Mackeeper pops up in another window, words are highlighted and have ads on them, and there are ads all over the page.
I am wanting to sell the macbook because its older and has the C2D processor, but, I don't want to give the new owner a computer with a bunch of Malware/Adware/Trojans
What can I do to get rid of them?
- Adam

Sounds like you have installed some kind of adware, possibly more than one. This is very common when downloading illegal content online.
My Adware Removal Guide will help you remove any known adware. However, malware is also a concern when dealing with illegal downloads. It's less likely that you have any actual malware, but the only way you can be sure that you're not infected with malware would be to erase the hard drive and reinstall the system.
As for how to reinstall the system properly in this case, see How to reinstall Mac OS X from scratch. Note that you will have to reinstall Microsoft Office, so be sure that you have the serial number handy.
(Fair disclosure: The Safe Mac is my site, and contains a Donate button, so I may receive compensation for providing links to The Safe Mac. Donations are not required.)

Do I need Malware protection in OSX?

"That's why every computer user, even Mac users, needs up-to-date security software installed. Keep it updated and set it to run regular, automatic scans."
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/05/26/5-signs-that-your-computer-is-infected/#i xzz2UQ6VfInw
As Apple gains marketshare, we become a more desireable target for these criminals.
What do you think? I don't want to be a victim.
Thanks

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.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
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 checked for updates 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.
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 a second 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 necessarily been tested by Apple, 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. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It 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 simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, 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, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "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 visitors 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 that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
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.
Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
6. Java on the Web (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, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it 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 affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
7. 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. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. 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.
8. 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.
9. The greatest harm done by security software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging threats, but if they get a false sense of security from it, they may feel free to do things that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
10. 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.

Blue screen on startup- only application accessible is iTunes by hitting f8 osx 10.6.8, Safe booting works but otherwise no login screen comes in, is this maybe a popad malware thing? what should I do

when starting up I get a blue screen with no dock, I can access some application by hitting f8 which opens iTunes, from there i use the apple icon in upperleft to go to recent items. There is trouble printing from application or web sites. IF this is a malware thing what should i try to fix it?

Perhaps however what we need is a EtreCheck report of the system if you can. Please download and post your EtreCheck report and we can then look for obvious issues.
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

Osx malware

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