Posted on 06/01/2011 8:10:35 AM PDT by Wooly
Update June 1, 6:00AM PDT: The bad guys have wasted no time. Hours after Apple released this update and the initial set of definitions, a new variation of Mac Defender is in the wild. This one has a new name, Mdinstall.pkg, and it has been specifically formulated to skate past Apples malware-blocking code.
The file has a date and time stamp from last night at 9:24PM Pacific time. Thats less than 8 hours after Apples security update was released.
On a test system using Safari with default settings, it behaved exactly as before, beginning the installation process with no password required.
As PC virus experts know, this cat-and-mouse game can go on indefinitely. Your move, Apple.
Ive also captured a video that shows the File Quarantine feature successfully blocking an attempt to automatically install the Mac Guard malware. See below.
After a month-long Mac Defender/Mac Guard malware attack, Apple has finally released the security update it promised last week. The update takes Apple one step closer to turning an obscure security feature into something very close to full-fledged antivirus software.
(Excerpt) Read more at zdnet.com ...
Why? I thought TechPing was for all things tech. Or does the apple ping include the entire tech ping list?
They go to Swordmaker’s threads but if it’s not his...surprise! At least I don’t have the arrogance to go to an Apple store and meet “the Genius Bar”. (cough)
Perhaps it would be better if we looked at it this way.
Cars used to just have a button to start them.
Then they had keys, to keep unauthorized people from driving them.
Then they had the more complex transmission lock and steering wheel lock.
Then they had the ‘security’ system which disabled the ignition.
None of these features every kept those cars from being stolen, by people who really wanted them. Whether they were Ford Pintos or Lamborghinis.
The ONLY thing that can keep a computer safe, is for it to have absolutely NO INPUT CHANNEL. That would then make it useless for home computing and most other purposes, but I am 99% sure it could not be hacked from the internet.
The Apple ping list existed before the tech list was created. While there is some overlap, I tend towards not pinging Apple threads as they have historically been Swordmaker's venue.
There is no such thing as perfect. The real factor is being a step ahead of your opponent.
It's a fairly even race, but the hackers have the advantage.
Read it.
Watched the video.
FUD
Period
“On a test system using Safari with default settings, it behaved exactly as before, beginning the installation process with no password required.”
Stopped right there. Bogus article. I have been told by Mac Fans here that this is impossible.
Macs were never “unable to be hacked” — it’s just that until now they were such an insignificant part of the personal computer market that hackers concentrated on the other 98% of the market. But now that Apple has grown, well, ‘welcome to the big boys world’
For some arty types and folks who just want something to work out of the box, a Mac is good. For someone who wants a cheaper machine, the Windows machine is good.
I don't see the point of arguing over this -- the best system is z/OS, hands-down! you can run CICS, IMS etc. on it and it never complains and is pretty much unhackable.
If I was in charge of advertising at Mickysoft I would be busy hiring the producer and actors from the “Mac Versus PC” ads today.
I would use the same format, except this time the Mac guy would be wearing sunglasses, packing a white cane, and be surrounded by people in masks that were picking his pocket and stealing everything he had around him. And all the time this was happening he would talking on an on using the same words that he spoke in the advertisements on how Mac were not vulnerable to malware.
I mean, the Macs were good, the ipods ok, the ipads ok (though I can get cheaper and better functional stuff from other vendors, I acknowledge Apple's making everything easier), but nothing can give the satisfaction with a good JCL that actually works or being able to actually use vi without tearing your hair off!
How so? I guesss all that malware on windows is just FUD as well.
See I can stick my head in the sand just as easily as you can.
Been saying that for years, but the macbots swore it was because Macs couldn’t be hacked. Besides nothing could get installed without a password! They promised me that. Looks like that one was a lie.
Tablets are toys. My company gave me a Xoom as a safety award, it is now listed on Craigslist as I do not play Angry Birds nor do I read E-Books so the thing was useless to me.
Instead I decided to buy an HP TM2T where I would have the portability of a touch tablet, but the power and capabilities of a real computer.
the only reason macs didn’t get attacked was because they weren’t popular enough to justify it. This is a natural progression as more and more people start to use macs more malware, viruses, and everything else will start hitting them. And considering the lack of any computer skills shown by most of the mac users I know its fertile ground.
Apple will actually benifit from this I think. Everytime someone gets a virus the mac store can charge a hundred bucks to clean the system. And considering the prices of those computers the users seem to have ample money to throw away.
Tens of millions of arrogant/smug/(insert slur here) mac users out there for years, and now we hit the tipping point? Really?
I, for one, am glad the Iranian nuclear program was smart enough to see thru the whole 'mac' facade and save some coin.
While you enjoy your time in the sand, I will ignore the M$ columnist’s FUD & keep on using my macs as I have for years now without worrying about malware or viruses “finding their way” onto my computer.
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