A new Trojan horse that not only affects Windows, but Mac OS X as well, has appeared on social networking sites (including Facebook), primarily disguised as a video. When users click an infected link along the lines of "Is this you in this video?", a Java applet downloads multiple files, including an installer that runs automatically without the user's knowledge. The malware also bypasses the usual password verification OS X requires for installation.

Read the whole story

but, but
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxOIebkmrqs&feature=related

Never thought about a cross platform program(java) having the ability to infect multiple operating systems. It makes sense to target java. This also shows hackers are going after consumers and not operating systems.

Would this also infect Linux? I guess it would depend on how the virus was programed.

By trying to isolate people from the critical thinking skills needed to safely use the internet, Apple is not doing them a favor. Instead of teaching people not to click on random links, it thinks that by eliminating the vector of Java you're somehow going to eliminate this sort of attack.

I am surprised, this is one of the first cross platform (Mac and Windows) attacks I have read about on Techspot.
Probably not the first, just one that happened to catch the news.
I see gwailo247's point in the preceding post. Eliminating points by which infections occur will never solve the problem.
Attackers will just find new ways to attack, so the only real solution would be to dissolve the internet, if you take Apple's approach.

let's face it, windows should expect it. apple should deserve it. apple's vulnerability is so high i cant wait till these attacks becomes the norm. then apple users cant say silly things like 'apple dont have viruses, but windows do' anymore

Apple, it JUST works. (Unless something goes wrong, then its 3rd party software's fault aka java, adobe, microsoft, etc)

The only social networking site that I occasionally use is Twitter, and I always take a moment to consider all links that I'm "thinking" about clicking. In other words, I don't click a link blindly just because it's there. Unfortunately, most internet users of social networking site aren't as cautious with such things. Facebook and other such sites should consider implementing a user wide alert messaging protocol right after users login, warning users about any ongoing/potential/current malicious attacks.

See? I've been saying the same thing for 5 years now. It's nice to see someone else catching on.

On another note, now we see why Apple is planning on killing Java. The scary thing is that it seems hackers are getting smarter. They are now learning how to infect across platforms.

WOW finally apple has something bad on there hands but really completely removing java thats the way apple lets all just move to crapple stuff so it makes it easier on them so they have full control of everything.

Am I the only one that is reading "apple is conspiring towards bringing java down?" after all the timed board posts? O_o

Maybe thats just my paranoia.

I can understand the control freak nature of Apple, but people still need to realize no OS is perfect and someone somewhere will find a flaw or write a trojan, virus, etc. for whatever you use. The more people that use it the more it will be targeted.

Apple has for too long held the "more secure than windows" spot just because of the fact that there are so fewer viruses, trojans, etc. written that can run on Macs. In a sense it is a good thing that OS X is being targeted too- it provides encouragement for the users that Apple targets in the first place (the ones who are confused by Windows) to actually learn how to be safe on the internet instead of just assuming that their Mac is an invulnerable fortress when it comes to harmful scripts.

What a coincidence. Steve Jobs wants to axe the Java platform from all Apple products. Now all of a sudden we have a Trojan Java virus affecting the Win and Mac OS. Interesting and convenient all at once.

security by obscurity is never a good strategy.

mac users beware, the hackers are coming for you muahaha.

i think that it's kinda interesting how the whole thing between apple and java is going on while this happened too

Am shocked, if there any antivirus out there to catch this??

wow, an OSX vulnerability comes to light and all the windows fanboys start pouring from the woodwork. Timonius hit the nail on the head regarding hackers simply hitting windows because it's on more computers. gwailo247, you've got a good point about critical thinking skills, but let's face facts that the majority of computer users don't take the time to question *every* choice they make on a reasonably trustable website...I know I don't

I don't know why people still fall for the "LOL OMG IS THIS YOU" Trick.

OSX or Windows, I think people need to go to How-To-NOT-Think-Like-An-***** School.

This.