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Mac OS X targeted by Trojan posing as codec

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On November 25, 2008, 4:44 PM EST

Even though Windows is the biggest target for malicious coders, we can't forget that other platforms are vulnerable too. Mac OS X has been targeted several times in the present year by dangerous Trojans, and lately a particularly nasty one has reared its head. The newly discovered Trojan, a variant of an older one, attempts to infect machines and may also download additional files in the future. Currently it only downloads one particular piece of nasty code – though it's speculated a similar tactic could be used in the future to download any number of infections.

This Trojan, dubbed OSX.RSPlug.D, is considered more dangerous than another one discovered this week, OSX.Lamzev.A, as the former does not require local access to the machine. It appears, in a tactic similar to many Windows viruses, as a “codec” needed to view video files. Apple has not yet issued a comment on this, though one question many wish they would answer is whether they will take the Microsoft route to anti-virus protection, not providing it by default or offering it as a stock option with the OS.

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User Comments (4)

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9Nails
on November 25, 2008
8:58 PM
Welcome to the popularity contest. Now here's your nasty infection.Viruses will happen, but the the real problem here is what can be said of this; "Apple has not yet issued a comment..."Come on! That's not responsible! Apple must step-up the game if they're going to hold a sizable market share.

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Rick
on November 25, 2008
10:59 PM
[b]Originally posted by 9Nails:[/b][quote]Viruses will happen, but the the real problem here is what can be said of this; "Apple has not yet issued a comment..." Come on! That's not responsible![/quote]Does Microsoft issue comments about spyware and viruses? I'm not sure I follow the importance of them doing so. The problem isn't even an exploit, it is literally, "Get your free porn here by downloading this codec!!!!" and totally the user's fault. They download it. They install it. They compromise their system. It doesn't take advantage of any bugs or security flaws, other than letting the user make the decision to download, install and run a malicious program. All the hole patching in the world won't fix that. A virus scanner and good browsing habits are the solutions here.

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mscott00
on November 26, 2008
8:28 AM
Its about time! What I can't stand is people buying a Mac, and claiming "Macs don't get viruses" (I think it was even in a commercial of theirs). Theres always going to be security flaws in everything, not even Apple can prevent this, its nice to see they aren't the "immortals" that everyone thinks they are.

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sngx1275
on November 26, 2008
11:13 PM
Rick is correct. You have to download it, then run it, at which point OS X will inform you that this program came from the web, are you SURE you want to run it. And then it probably even needs you to enter your password before it can do anything.

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