More than 600,000 Macs infected with Flashback Trojan downloader

[SNGX1275]

MilwaukeeMike - For now, it apparently is just checking in with botnet servers. I presume that it could so something malicious in the future, like use all the infected comps to attack a website. I haven't heard about it gathering data sniffing for passwords or anything, but I suppose that is a possibility too.

As I mentioned above (in response to the contents of the article) this thing doesn't attempt to install itself anymore once it discovers if you have any AV (or in the second instance if you have word, office, skype). It actually goes so far as to remove itself if it finds those. It is actively doing this.. for what reason? I don't know that answer, and why those apps? Wouldn't put it past some security consultant to have created this for one or more AV producers for Macs. I'm not saying thats the case, esp by backing out (if you didn't give it your password) when it sees word, office or skype. But it is odd.

 

[Sunny87]

SNGX1275 said:
MilwaukeeMike - For now, it apparently is just checking in with botnet servers. I presume that it could so something malicious in the future, like use all the infected comps to attack a website. I haven't heard about it gathering data sniffing for passwords or anything, but I suppose that is a possibility too.

As I mentioned above (in response to the contents of the article) this thing doesn't attempt to install itself anymore once it discovers if you have any AV (or in the second instance if you have word, office, skype). It actually goes so far as to remove itself if it finds those. It is actively doing this.. for what reason? I don't know that answer, and why those apps? Wouldn't put it past some security consultant to have created this for one or more AV producers for Macs. I'm not saying thats the case, esp by backing out (if you didn't give it your password) when it sees word, office or skype. But it is odd.

I can only but speculate as to why that is, maybe it only wants to spread among the ignorant! lol

 

[Guest]

I don't believe that the case is that it backs out when it sees those MS products, rather that the torjan tries to install itself in any of those locations.

 

[SNGX1275]

I don't believe that the case is that it backs out when it sees those MS products, rather that the torjan tries to install itself in any of those locations.

No that is false. It modifies /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Info.plist and creates ~/.MacOSX/environment DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES.
If you are going to disagree with an idea, then you should explain why you disagree.

It is "trojan" not "torjan" anyway.

 

[davislane1]

Can't believe people still believe these things (I use a mac) are impervious to viruses/trojans. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that only 600,000 machines have been infected, given the care-free attitude most Mac users have about security.

 

[Guest]

Well call me an ***** but I have no antivirus. What I have is several cisco routers ah asa 5010 appliance. Let me see 20 bucks on ebay. You can have an enterprise set up for couple of hundreds. Who thought inflation was such a blessing.

 

[mevans336]

NTAPRO said:
Of course the US would have the highest percentage

Because Apple products sell highest in the US. Apple doesn't even rank in the top 25 worldwide.

 

[SNGX1275]

Because Apple products sell highest in the US. Apple doesn't even rank in the top 25 worldwide.

You know how I know you don't know anything about statistics?

 

[avoidz]

I see thousands of Apple followers with Dawson crying faces right about now.

 

[Guest]

Only one thing worse than the apple fanbois... and that's the windows fanbois who desperately want every other OS to be as full of holes as their malware sponge of choice...

 

[cliffordcooley]

Only one thing worse than the apple fanbois... and that's the windows fanbois who desperately want every other OS to be as full of holes as their malware sponge of choice...

It's not windows users who wants every other OS to be just as popular. If every other OS was just as popular, they would be just as big a Mal-ware sponge.

You are hiding behind a guest account because you don't want to make these comments as a registered user.

 

[captaincranky]

Any software can be compromised. ANY, ANYWHERE period. It is the nature of executing instructions.

Regardless, Mac's still fair multitudes better in this regard mainly due to four related factors:

1. Less proliferation
2. Higher price of entry
3. Quality control
4. More locked down

As OS X transitions to the iOS way of doing things, 3 and 4 will become the prominent factors for it's superiority in regards to infection.

You forgot "5", nobody bothers writing malware for Macs.

Well, I suppose I should have said, "almost nobody"...

Only one thing worse than the apple fanbois... and that's the windows fanbois who desperately want every other OS to be as full of holes as their malware sponge of choice...

No, I think it's just that Windows users are just flat out tired of being talked down to by a bunch of "yuppies with more money than brains"(*), and an almost complete lack of computer knowledge.

(*) Add "itinerant guest trolls at Techspot", to that elite.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Woohoo, lets skip ahead another 13 months.

 

[SNGX1275]

Wouldn't normally reply to this. But, I have seen CC bump 2 threads in the last 3? days just to revisit an argument that had died months before. One was odd, 2 seems really odd, is this going to be a trend CC? I enjoy your comments even if I don't agree, but bringing back dead threads is a bit much.

 

[captaincranky]

Wouldn't normally reply to this. But, I have seen CC bump 2 threads in the last 3? days just to revisit an argument that had died months before. One was odd, 2 seems really odd, is this going to be a trend CC? I enjoy your comments even if I don't agree, but bringing back dead threads is a bit much.

I don't think I intentionally bumped anything. The threads either were on the front page, or I got an email notice. (? ). Not sure. It could be that Cliff's avatar makes every thread look so new....

Since I'm apparently notorious for looking for an argument, (although personally I don't believe a word of that), in my own defense, I can usually find enough contention in the present to satisfy my need to vent.

But WTF, I suppose I'll just plead insanity... That's the best excuse I can come up with, since I don't have a cell phone or Nvidia Shield game to blame for "distracted posting".

Then there's the conditioned response I have to many guest posts. It's like waving a red cape in front of a bull.

Edit: Whew, I'm glad I got this up before you locked the thread! That "art film" was taking forever to download...

 

[cliffordcooley]

OMG Cap, you are hilarious! Nobody can say, you don't have a sense of humor.

Are you sure you don't want a nVidia Shield or iPhone?

 

[captaincranky]

OMG Cap, you are hilarious! Nobody can say, you don't have a sense of humor.

Oh, I'd venture to say a few people around here might differ with you on that...

Are you sure you don't want a nVidia Shield or iPhone?

The Shield...., never!

OTOH, if the iPhone comes with a pair of barely legal redheads who are willing to engage in a game of "hide the telephone, and let me call you", then I'm "all in". (So to speak)...