Macs No Longer Immune To Viruses...

Mac computers no longer can be considered immune to computer viruses after having multiple outbreaks within this last year including the newest one, a trojan horse virus called Flashback.  Many downloaded it without even knowing it as an update to Adobe Flash Player which then worked though a hole in the Java platform to infect computers.  Users infected by the virus could have their computers controlled and watched remotely by hackers and are vulnerable to having personal and banking information stolen.

Apple has a basic anti-virus program built into its OS X operating system but it still hasn't been updated to identify and fix the Flashback virus.  The time has come where all Mac users should install anti-virus software to increase protection of their Macs.

According to PC Magazine, "Roel Schouwenberg, Senior Researcher for Kaspersky Lab, observed that "the MacDefender and DNSChanger epidemics from last year were the turning point." He goes on to note that "it became clear to the cyber-crime world that there's money to be made with OSX malware, and we’ve seen an increase in OSX malware since then."Percentage-wise, Flashback is roughly the equivalent of Conficker," referring to the multi-vector Conficker Worm that created such a stir in 2008-2009. Most industry metrics for prevalence of PC viruses rely in part on telemetry from security software, so "because so few OSX users are running security software, so the metrics the industry has are limited." Schowenberg concluded."

Source: http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/296449-flashback-ends-mac-s-no-virus-reputation-experts-say

What is important is that Mac users realize that they too must be concerned about security and take the necessary steps.  First, to find out if your Mac has been infected, there are easy checks like this one from Github:

https://github.com/jils/FlashbackChecker/wiki


If you find you have been infected by the virus, don't worry!  It can be removed.  Mashable.com gives a how to here:

http://mashable.com/2012/04/05/mac-flashback-trojan/

Another important step is to update your Mac with the latest Java update that addresses the Flashback breech even though Apple does not mention the Flashback name with the newest Java patch.  Follow the links though Apple which has options for each operating system:

http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&src=support_site.kbase.search&locale=en_US&q=java%20update

Finally, make sure you get a good ant-virus software to provide extra protection like Norton Anti-Virus for Mac.  It is really important to be proactive about security like PC users have had to do for years.  Hackers are looking at other operating systems because more people are using them and often the guard is down.  Bottom line is everyone, regardless of their operating system, is vulnerable to viral attacks.

If you need help checking your computer for a virus, removing one, or installing security software, we can help! At CompuTime, we can help your with all your Mac and PC issues. We can come to your home or office and even work remotely!  For more information call us at 928-445-0700.