CUPERTINO, Calif.—Mac Malware attacks are on the rise, according to security researchers, and adult webmasters who design with Macs or site runners using Apple-based networks and servers should be on alert.
ItPro reports Trend Micro researcher Ivan Macalintal found a new variant of the "JAHLAV" family of malware, targeting versions of Apple's Quicktime, most notable in cases where users were searching for porn.
Mac malware has been found disguised as pirated copies of the PDF application Foxit Reader as well as other antivirus apps. These disguised troublemakers can change a user’s registered DNS server and point them toward a fake website or corrupt search engine results, again leading to sites of pure malware or revenue sites unleashing a barrage of ads.
"The increasing frequency of variants that we are seeing really is proof that criminals are seeing the value of attacking the Apple platform,” Trend Micro's Rik Ferguson told IT PRO, which reported the first Mac botnet in April.
Though once thought to be nearly invincible compared to other PCs, Macs clearly can be attacked as well. Users should by wary of anything suspicious encountered on the internet and also keep security tools up to date.
In related news, Mac OS X 10.6,"Snow Leopard" will be released this Friday, Aug. 28, earlier than the originally scheduled release date. The OS update only runs on Intel-based Macs. For more about the improvements and adjustments, see Apple's info page.
