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Backdoor Trojan for Windows ported to Mac OS

By Emil Protalinski

On February 28, 2011, 9:54 AM

A Remote Access Trojan (RAT) for Windows, known as darkComet, has been ported to Mac OS X. The new backdoor Trojan is not yet finished, but it could be indicative of more underground programmers attempting to take advantage of Apple's growing market share. Here is an excerpt of the default text that the malware displays in the full screen window with the reboot button, courtesy of Sophos:
I am a Trojan Horse, so i have infected your Mac Computer. I know, most people think Macs can't be infected, but look, you ARE Infected! I have full controll over your Computer and i can do everything I want, and you can do nothing to prevent it. So, Im a very new Virus, under Development, so there will be much more functions when im finished.

The author of the Trojan refers to it as the BlackHole RAT, while security experts are calling it OSX/MusMinim-A, or MusMinim for short. "Black Hole" is already used by Irradiated to name a legitimate Mac security application which removes potentially sensitive information such as recently-used file lists, data left in the clipboard, and so on. MusMinim appears to have a mix of German and English in its user interface, as well as these functions:

  • Placing text files on the desktop
  • Sending a restart, shutdown or sleep command
  • Running arbitrary shell commands
  • Placing a full screen window with a message that only allows you to click reboot
  • Sending URLs to the client to open a website
  • Popping up a fake "Administrator Password" window to phish the target

Starting late last year, Sophos has been pushing its free antivirus for Mac. The security company insists the numbers show malware is an increasing issue on the platform.


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User Comments: 61

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  1. captaincranky said:

    As far as the lower cost after the sale with Apple you're purporting, I offer this from our forums; http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic157368.html

    That's a SIX year old machine. Any repair of an out of warranty machine from any vendor will be expensive - especially a 6 year old one. That is if you could even find it supported at all considering most PC vendors blast out new models like changing toilet paper rolls. It's a testament to the lasting attraction of the well-designed mac hardware that users are satisfied with their performance years beyond winPCs - this is also one of the reasons they fetch a premium at resale.

    In this particular forum entry, in the end he found what he needed at a more reasonable price without much trouble. And since Mac moved to the Intel cpu years ago it has become even easier to find cheap parts for Mac than trying to dig up any custom parts for the 10,000,000 differently designed mostly one-off PC machines.

    Mac are continually year after year rated best support in the industry (see Consumer Reports). That means better than the rest though definitely far from perfect.

  2. Whoaman said:

    Mac are continually year after year rated best support in the industry (see Consumer Reports). That means better than the rest though definitely far from perfect.

    Because custom built computers will have customer reports, right?

  3. Whoaman said:

    Also, I think you should consider picking-up a sense of humor. We would all benefit.

    Your thesis operates under the mistaken assumption that your posts are funny.

  4. gwailo247 said:

    Whoaman said:

    Also, I think you should consider picking-up a sense of humor. We would all benefit.

    Your thesis operates under the mistaken assumption that your posts are funny.

    Wait, the definition of funny doesn't include laughing *at* someone for their actions?

    I thought he was hilarious, thank you for educating me otherwise.

  5. In this particular forum entry, in the end he found what he needed at a more reasonable price without much trouble. And since Mac moved to the Intel cpu years ago it has become even easier to find cheap parts for Mac than trying to dig up any custom parts for the 10,000,000 differently designed mostly one-off PC machines.

    Well, that's the beauty of universal plug and play. "10,000,000" Windows machines can all be repaired with few dozen standard pars. Now try buying parts for a Macbook "Air" at Newegg. Whoops, and away it goes, back to China.

    Coincidentally, Apple's sales skyrocketed when they embraced Intel CPUs, and began dual booting with Windows. Of course, Apple takes all the credit. Small matter that they've turned the Mac into a PC ripoff.

    Mac are continually year after year rated best support in the industry (see Consumer Reports). That means better than the rest though definitely far from perfect.
    Well of course they are. That's because the people that buy them can't fix them themselves. Keep in mind that a lot of s*** has to break before you can become #1 in service.

  6. Hey c'mon cap, who wouldn't like to shell out a 300+% markup for genuine Mac compatible graphics.

    Nothing screams "Made It"! like throwing money around like a early-1920's Bavarian

  7. Whoaman said:

    ramonsterns said:

    Whoa, man, Whoaman.

    Take care not to choke on the fumes while having your head stuck so far up your wind breaker.

    Just doing my best not to disappoint the stereotypical expectations of those here suffering from apple-envy. ~

    Wait, remind me again why I have Apple envy? I can't remember. I forgot to take my shimmering magicalness pill this morning.

  8. Wait, remind me again why I have Apple envy? I can't remember. I forgot to take my shimmering magicalness pill this morning.

    Not only that, but you didn't save enough to get me high.

  9. You guys aren't giving Apple credit where it's due. Name ONE other manufacturer that has successfully found AND extracted Unicorn horns and pixie dust to give us such magical game changing systems. Considering their materials, their price is a bargin!

  10. You guys are a bunch of silly banana heads!

  11. Whoaman said:

    You guys are a bunch of silly banana heads!

    Then you're in good company! Hooray!

  12. I'm in my mid 30's, been building PC's for about 15 years. I've always had multiple pcs, my primary ( the kids don't touch!! ) and 1 or 2 more for htpc and the kids. Every 5 to 6 months I have to do a good reformatting on the kids pc, they don't know **** about computers and download/install all weird kinds of crap.

    Last year I got a REALLY good deal on a newish intel macbook pro. It's the new "kid" computer and I have to admit I haven't had nearly the amount of garbage/issues as I've had with my pcs. My point is, for none to low level tech knowledge, non-gamer types Apple's are perfect for them. If you can build or trouble shoot pc issues or a gamer, sticking with a pc IMO is the only option.

  13. You guys are a bunch of silly banana heads!
    Nuh-uh! Now here's a silly "banana head"; http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic161805.html I wonder if he met "her" with a Mac?

  14. You guys are a bunch of silly banana heads!

    Pot.Kettle.Black.

    [link]

  15. "Placing a full screen window with a message that only allows you to click reboot"

    lol!

    This is a pretty rotten deal for Apple users. I hope it wakes them up to the reality that their supposedly 'secure' machine isn't all it's cracked up to be.

  16. As a long time Mac and PC user (have owned 5 Macs from 68k thru PowerPC to Intel) I can honestly say that when it comes down to it this day in age with the Intel switch you're mostly paying a premium for that shiny apple logo'd case.

    Chipset to chipset it's the same PC hardware you'll find in midrange systems, take into consideration that the only actually apple branded 6 components on a MacBook are: webcam, trackpad, keyboard, AC-adapter, battery and casing. I give apple credit where credit due but I feel it's a bit of a stretch to call the hardware superior or to argue that theres some sort of value to buying a Mac over a PC, the markup for the hardware you get is not exactly justifiable by value at all, in my case it comes down to a trackpad that I like for design on the go, if not for that I would spend the same cost on a higher end PC, and in fact thats the way I will likely go next upgrade.

    As far as the OS goes, if you're moderately savvy you can mostly get what you want done on any OS be it OS X, Windows or Linux with varying degrees of compromise, Windows I would agree is the least compromising when it comes to running what you want to run. The "Mac's are better for design" argument doesn't hold water either when anyone into serious design will be using Adobe products which are available on Windows and OS X.

    I tend to side more with the PC crowd when it comes to debate due to the Mac side tending to be less logical and more hype based, quick to insult the opposing side.

    Use what you like, it's all personal preference, use whatever OS and hardware appeals to you is what I say.

  17. hey guys i have a crapbook air and id like to put more ram in it.. oh wait i cant...

    hey guys i have a crapbook air and id like to replace the battery... oh wait i cant i have to send it away

    hey guys i have a crapbook air and id like to <insert piece of hardware you want to replace here> ..... oh wait i cant...

  18. The fact so many of you feel the need to make so many half-baked remarks just reinforces the Apple-envy theory.

    Even funnier, no pc manufacturer can even come up with anything as good as the crapbook air for the same price or less. Bye bye Adamo.

    If you know computers well than any platform will work - but don't think your really saving much money. If you are the typical consumer then Mac is king and deservedly so unless you like pain.

    And BTW, professional audio on the Windows is a PITA. Maybe one day Microsoft will actually fix MMCSS but don't hold your breathe.

    Meanwhile I'm going to go salvage in the dump for all those 3 year old pcs that no one could get a penny for. ~

  19. The fact so many of you feel the need to make so many half-baked remarks just reinforces the Apple-envy theory.
    The fact that you feel the need to propagate and perpetuate this discussion makes me think you're simply run of the mill troll. And that, I assure you, is nothing to be envious of, no matter what platform you own, or which platform you're talking out your a** about.

    The only thing you've actually convinced me of, is how inarticulate, plodding, brainwashed and dogmatic the average member of the "Apple Corp" really is.

    It's sad actually, you really do think you're funny. And someday, if mindless repetition becomes a standard for humor, you will be.

  20. Whoaman said:

    The fact so many of you feel the need to make so many half-baked remarks just reinforces the Apple-envy theory.

    The fact that you keep trolling the comments as a self proclaimed superior mac user just makes the competent mac users look bad, you're either an obvious troll or suffering from a psychosis brought on through insecurity and inadequacy in your personal life, much like the other bleeding heart Apple fanboys. I feel soiled being in the same userbase as you people at times and it leads me to want to discontinue using Apple products entirely for not wanting to be thrown into the fold with the cult-like fanboys.

    It's a computer, it's a tool and it's not even comparing apples to oranges anymore since the Intel switch.

    Start an argument then act as if you're on the higher ground, trolling, immaturity or somewhere between I suppose.

  21. I don't think people here are terribly envious of the people who bought Mac's under the pretense that Apple's PC's do not get viruses. Whether or not Apple is superior for A/V or ergonomics is not the issue; the issue is that a considerable number of Apple users bought their PC's with the aim of never having to deal with a problem, and this throws them a huge curveball.

    Apple is going to have a harder time with the 'it just works' mantra as occurrences like this continue to increase in frequency.

  22. to be quite honest, i think everyone is sick of all the wanna be trendy people who use apple as a fashion accessory just like steve jobs has marketed as..

    apple has not done anything new, they just have been smart at how they do it..

  23. I think Mac is a complete waste of time and money. why pay thousands when you can get ubuntu for free on any computer, even better you can get the Mac OSX theme for ubuntu if your that keen.

  24. If you are the typical consumer then Mac is king and deservedly so unless you like pain.

    After reading these comments, I've considered dozens of PCs I've 'advised' about purchasing/upgrading to my friends/ family over the last year, and out of all these systems only one came up with any sort of issue, if one can call it, and at the end of the day it was issue with a crappy old ACER LCD. Furthermore, from my years while I was still working in IT, 'reported issues' %age on year to year basis never exceeded 1-1.5% range for me, which is beyond acceptable and that include any Virus/Malware issues. So either you don't get out of your 'Apple World' frequently enough or ......

    CC: Don't you think 'Apple Bug' causes serious delusional tendencies in its 'carriers' ?

  25. CC: Don't you think 'Apple Bug' causes serious delusional tendencies in its 'carriers' ?

    I was at a "CompUSA in Delaware, speaking to one of the floor salesmen. CompUSA sold Apple product, and pandered to the Apple fan base, with meetings, seminars, and such.

    The gentleman told me they mostly presented themselves as inaccessible, know nothing, snobs. I have no basis on which to dispute the veracity of that assessment.

    Apple computers really weren't a force in the market until they installed Intel CPUs, and allowed Windows dual booting. In effect, they've become a PC, yet we still have to listen to itinerant ****** spout Apple superiority / mythology / dogma..

    The Apple OS, at least to me, looks like it was designed by Fischer-Price. The novelty of the "follow the bouncing ball" icons wears off in a big hurry. Then you have the privacy invasion / DRM onslaught of "iTunes". Who needs that crap? Then there was the entire false "I'm a PC" advertising campaign. If I were in M$'s legal department, I'd have been suing almost daily over that garbage.

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