Sophos discovers first ever virus for Mac OS X

[star17]

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/business_today/906076.htm

[goldfish]

*SHOCK*

*HORROR*

Finally!

[Adrynalyne]

I'll be more impressed when it doesn't require significant user intervention :)

Stuff like this has been around for a while--but the key is, it takes a stupid user to get it to work.

[star17]

--but the key is, it takes a stupid user to get it to work.

Well, it shouldn't be much of a threat then; everyone knows Mac users are waaaay smarter than those PC flunkies :rolleyes:

[Adrynalyne]

Hey, you said it, not me. I don't consider PC users flunkies, especially considering I am using a PC right now. Stupid users are OS independent. It just so happens this requires quite a bit of user interaction (imo) to get installed. Oh, and my stupid user comment, was directed towards Mac users. Read it again. :eek:

I mean, lets compare to how many Windows viruses don't require you to accept something through an Instant Messenger.

How many are just from clicking on Links, and visiting sites?

Not to mention iChat doesn't even support Messenger contacts without a considerable amount of tweaking that most users won't do, or know how to. Its a crappy application, that doesn't support what Adium X does.

*admires Adium X*

I'm still virus free :)



All I said was I wasn't impressed. Why is it that PC users get all bent out of shape about Macs having nowhere near the problem with malware that Windows does?

Neener ;)

[AbbySue]

Why is it that PC users get all bent out of shape about Macs having nowhere near the problem with malware that Windows does?

Neener ;)

I don't agree with that at all as stated.

First it's a well known fact that windows is targeted because it is the most widely used operating system therefore has the biggest bang/thrill for the hackers when it's hit.

Every OS/Software has it's vulnerabilities just like everything else in this world..nothing is perfect and I am not saying one has more or less than the other.

This is not directed at you personally Jeremy.

As an observer who normally stays out of these discussions this is what I see come through loud and clear on various forums I read. Those using linux (some) & mac (more) tend to come off as being arrogant, superior and almost down right catty when it comes to their operating systems compared to users of windows based systems. This results in windows users firing back as expected. To constantly be told get a mac or mac's aren't vulnerable or any other variation of mac this and that is like a slap in the face...'I'm bigger and better than you are' :rolleyes: It's not about who has more problems than the other at all from what I've seen..it's the attitude of so many mac users and how they come across toward windows users.

Bottom line. It's user preference & price. If you want a mac and can afford to buy one then go for it...same goes it you choose to use windows, linux or anything else out there just please take your Holier than thou attitude and throw it away. Perfection doesn't exist.

[EDIT] Oh yeah! I'm still virus free too! Windows OS :p:D[/quote]

[Adrynalyne]

This results in windows users firing back as expected.

Agreed, but all I said was I wasn't impressed with this virus, and even admitted this stuff has been around before, but it all requires user intervention to infect. Not that PC users were flunkies or anything of the sort. Thats why I posted what I did in reply.

I'm virus free on my Windows machine, too :)

The other comment about people sayign that macs aren't vulnerable, is not kosher, I agree. But to say its less vulnerable and has not even a
fraction of the problem with malware that Windows does, is a fact, not a myth or a brag fest. If that upsets Windows users, there is nothing me, or any other Mac user can do about it.

Of course, thats all moving away from my original comment.

PS--None of this has been taken persoanlly, although I think some people have gained the wrong view of me. My tirade against Windows has been tongue in cheek, 99% of the time. I'm not a Windows hater, I'm a Microsoft hater, and have every right, after how my last job ended. That said, I use OS X and Windows. I even use Office on both platforms. I tend the like the Mac version better, but thats for another thread. Windows has a serious malware problem, and I've never been the victim of it. So--its not the Windows vulnerabiliteis that made me stop using Windows--its my personal choice.

[star17]

...Macs having nowhere near the problem with malware that Windows does?

Perhaps because they have nowhere near the numbers of users?

I posted the link because I found it interesting enough that a story was carried that something of a threat was found for Mac OS. I know little of Macs and have no need nor desire to learn, however the instances I've read on Mac forums users seemed to enjoy bosting of this "steel wall" of an OS and how vulnerabilties were nowhere to be found. It's just a bit of evidence of that not necessarily being the case. Just like I see more and more Secunia Security alerts for Linux, almost in direct proportion of number of alerts versus growth. I don't know of percentages of users of Linux versus Mac, so my knowledge of the subject would be based on reads of information such as this.

The obvious understatement of the day: no OS is perfect, and if someone wants in bad enough, they'll find a way.

[Adrynalyne]

I've no problem with what you posted.


At any rate, this is silly, especially considering I was originally replying to Goldfish's "shock and awe." I still don't understand why you posted the ":rolleyes:" comment, unless you misunderstood what I typed.

[star17]

I still don't understand why you posted the ":rolleyes:" comment, unless you misunderstood what I typed.


Beacuse this one >>:eek: makes a lousy sarcasm emoticon. ;)

[star17]

Just noticed this...I guess this one is primed for the OS.

http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=15777&hed=Second+Virus+Attacks+Mac+OS+X&sector=Industries&subsector=SecurityAndDefense

[Adrynalyne]

More info on the "alleged" discovery by Sophos(someone else found it before them):

http://www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102379

An interesting note--this may not work on Intel Macs due to it being a PPC package. Although, I don't know how Rosetta works, so it might.

Another interesting note. Not only does it require a user to download it, it requires them to decompress it, THEN it requires them to execute it.

[Time-Warrior]

It was not discovered my sophos http://www.ambrosiasw.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=102379

the virus was first posted here http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=180066
discussed here http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=180323

[mag00]

You may want to read this.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Sophos-Anit-Virus-Software-Causes-More-Damage-Than-All-OS-X-Viruses-Trojans-and-Worms-Put-Together-18620.shtml

[Adrynalyne]

How ironic ;)

[Tabasco]

Another interesting note. Not only does it require a user to download it, it requires them to decompress it, THEN it requires them to execute it.

In other words, no one will ever be infected with this? :p