Fake security software catches out Apple owners

[Archean]

A fake security program for Apple computers called MACDefender has racked up a significant number of victims. Hundreds of people who installed the software have turned to Apple's forums for help to remove it. The program's tactic of peppering screens with pornographic pictures has made many keen to get rid of it.

MACDefender seems to have been successful because of the work its creators did to make it appear high up in search results. The number of people seeking help was uncovered by ZDNet journalist Ed Bott. In a blog post, he wrote about finding more than 200 separate discussions on Apple's official forums about MACDefender.

The volume of reports about the problem was "exceptional" in his experience, he said.

A little dose of reality, I guess.

 

[DelJo63]

here's one that get'm almost every time

it is a known rogue virus and easily removed.

 

[DelJo63]

to quote ComputerWorld

Computerworld - Microsoft said this week that it has evidence of a link between the fake security software now plaguing Mac users and a hard-charging family of similar software on Windows.

Phony security software, labeled "rogueware" and "scareware" by experts, has long been a huge thorn in Windows' side. But earlier this month researchers announced the discovery of a Mac-specific scam that claims the machine is heavily infected.

the whole article is here

 

[captaincranky]

The program's tactic of peppering screens with pornographic pictures has made many keen to get rid of it.

And the downside of this is what........?

 

[Archean]

Oh nothing at all, only if it focused on continuous permanent supply of pron for its consumers, no one would have made any fuss about it and every one would live happily ever after.

 

[red1776]

...porn position?

Oh nothing at all, only if it focused on continuous permanent supply of pron for its consumers, no one would have made any fuss about it and every one would live happily ever after.

Hmmm. "pron"(e) Freudian slip, as it were there Arc?

 

[Archean]

An intentional one at that