Tuesday, June 24th 2008
Malicious Trojan Horse Plagues Apple Mac OS Users
Nowadays everyone will tell you that most virus, spyware, malware and other malicious definitions are written solely for Windows, but it appears that times have changed a bit. Security experts are warning now about a new Trojan horse released in the wild, targeting Apple operating systems or more specifically Mac OS X Tiger and Leopard (version 10.4 and 10.5). In addition to the usual stuff a trojan can do (run in background, open ports, steal your passwords, replicate etc.) this one can also log what you type in every moment, take screenshots of your active desktop and even take a picture of you using Mac's built-in iSight camera. Here's how it works: AppleScript.THT comes either as a 3.1MB application dubbed AStht_v06 or as a 60KB compiled AppleScript script called ASthtv05. Once started on a Mac OS system it adds itself to the System Login Items and thus runs with root privileges every time the OS is started. Once the system is infected AppleScript.THT also moves itself into the /Library/Caches/ folder. To protect your system against this threat, security experts advice to run SecureMac MacScan 2.5.2 anti-virus software with the latest Spyware Definitions update (2008011). More details on the malicious code and additional removal instructions are posted here.
Source:
TG Daily
39 Comments on Malicious Trojan Horse Plagues Apple Mac OS Users
Here's all a Mac is:
Honestly this sounds more like an attack on Apples virus proof campaign than anything else.
Keylogging - semi useful one way to get passwords. More likely its being used to scare people about their personal thoughts. "Terror" not profit.
Webcam control - 1 in what 500 infected computers may get an "indecent" shot. Only really useful for "Terror".
Sounded like everything else was normal trojan activity.
2¢
I've never liked the computers with built in cameras. Its bad enough they have built in mics. DuctTape FTW, lol!
There have been trojans and some viruses written for the mac for a while now.
Just being intelligent about your downloads kinda kept things at bay.
But we do know things are changing.
And why all the anti mac vitriol? Are these guys so insecure about their os choices?:o
I use both for different things, and that's life.
I want more like this.
Put the godawful holier-than-thou mac users in their place.
My prior statement first had humor then went into my opinion of the reasoning behind it. I wasn't bashing anyone. I deal with both macs and pcs.
p0rn
I have maintained a MAC network for 6 years and I used Apple computers for my first 3 years of computer usage starting back in 94'.
1. Not until recently could anybody make Mac computers, except Mac's personally regulated companies which kept prices in unreasonable realms. Microsoft never did this EVER. This results in price fixing and Quality control issues, through a lack of deversity in production.
2. They don't have enough of the market, to get as much developers. "developers, developers, developers" LOL Not enough developers and companies making software designed for its OS.
3. The mark up on all Apple products is rediculous. There OS is not so bad price-wise, due to the fact that you have to buy expensive hardware from them before you can use the software. Just look at a "MAC Mall Magazine". ;)
2. There's plenty of software for a Mac. Aside from games, you can find an OS X program to replace in functionality, any program written for Windows.
3. Only on some things. The iMac, MacPro, and Mac Mini are all very reasonably priced for their specific categories, especially when you compare them directly to competitors with the same formfactors and features. As for MacMall, even the stuff they have that isn't Mac specific is marked up tremendously. They are just an expensive retailer, and a poor example for Mac pricing.
You also have to do your homework. There are very few peripherals that actually have to be Mac specific to work on a Mac. Other vendors just try to capitalize on the Mac name by making something with a Mac sticker on it, and charging more for it. That, in no way, is the fault of Apple.