InfoWorld: 7 questions about the Mac malware scare

/Home/Internet Security: Articles/Internet Security: InfoWorld/InfoWorld: Security

A few answers help clarify what the MacDefender scareware plague really means for Mac users and administrators

By Roger A. Grimes
May 23, 2011

It was only a matter of time. Numerous reports from the field leave little doubt that Apple OS X has become the target of its first widespread malware campaign -- in the form of MacDefender (aka, MacSecurity or MacProtector). Mac Defender is classic scareware: You're prompted to download and install an antivirus program to protect your system, when in fact the program itself is malicious.

Because the OS X malware campaign is the first of its kind, both Apple and Apple customers seem confused, with flames flying back and forth in various forums -- aggravated by a recent report that Apple support is refusing to help users remove the malware.

To clear the air, we offer some basic questions and answers about the ongoing MacDefender travails:

Click the URL above to read the full article