Two pieces of malicious software affecting Apple’s Mac OS X appeared this week: a Trojan horse with the ability to download and install malicious code of an attacker’s choice, and a hacker tool for creating backdoors, according to security vendors.
The Trojan — called ‘OSX.RSPlug.D’ by Intego, the Mac security specialist that discovered the threat — is a variant on an older piece of malicious code but with a new installer, Intego said.
Naturally, it targets users in a traditional way:
The Trojan is found on porn websites posing as a codec needed to play video files, a technique used to trick the user into downloading and installing it.
I find myself saying this a fair bit: Mac OS X is not necessarily more secure than any other OS. At the present time, given their lower market share, they’re just not as sweet a target as the Windows install base. As Macs reach a critical mass, they’ll become just as desirable to infect as any other computer.
2 replies on “If you buy a Mac because you think they can’t be infected…”
Thank you! I’ve been saying this for years but none of my Mac-head friends listen to me.
most mac users only became users because of the trendy appeal it has. sure maybe the O/S is okay…but whatever.
i’ve been saying the same thing u have said in this article as well. good to know others agree. also saw other security pro’s are conferences saying the same.