Lose/Lose a game too far?

A Mac OS X arcade-style, shoot’m-up alien game named Lose/Lose has been doing the rounds recently. One of the aims of the author is to supposedly raise questions about the role of these type of video games, whilst using the files on your disk as collateral: every time you kill an alien a random file on your disk is deleted.

At the moment the game can only be downloaded via the author’s website, if you are happy to ignore the big red warning!


KILLING ALIENS IN LOSE/LOSE WILL DELETE FILES ON YOUR HARD DRIVE PERMANANTLY

Although the player is given several warnings about what the game will do, and it may not have been created with malicious intent, the idea of deleting personal files and system files on someone’s Mac to make a point, clearly has an impact on the security and integrity of their system.

So the moral of the story is, if you don’t want to lose your files don’t run the game!


For more information see OSX.LoseGame on the Macintosh Malware page .

ProtectMac AntiVirus Version 1.1.1 Released

A new version of ProtectMac AntiVirus has been released. Version 1.1.1 will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Checked for Updates’ enabled in the application’s Updating preferences. See Updating Preferences

The new version contains the following changes:

  • a Service to allow Finder Contextual menu scanning on Snow Leopard
  • user interface enhancements
  • an update to the license renewal feature in the application, that verifies a customer’s license key and redirects the user to the Renewal page of the online store at a click of a button
  • ProtectMac menu integrity check on startup.

Customers can check the version of ProtectMac AntiVirus they are running in the Application’s About box.
Read more...

Apple Mac OS X 10.6.1 Update

Apple has released Mac OS X 10.6.1. The first upgrade to Snow Leopard is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Check for Updates’ selected in your System Preferences.

“The 10.6.1 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard version and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.”

There are specific fixes in several areas:

  • compatibility with Sierra Wireless 3G modems
  • a fix to prevent DVD playback from stopping unexpectedly
  • resolution of a problem where automatic account setup in Mail might fail
  • printer compatibility drivers failing to be displayed correctly in the printer browser
  • problems removing items form the Dock
  • unresponsiveness of Motion 4

For detailed information on this update, please visit the Apple support website: 
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT38103

Corresponding security patches have also been release with 10.6.1 and are described in the following knowledgebase article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Apple Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Released

Apple released their long awaited update to Mac OS X today. Mac OS X 10.6, Snow Leopard, goes on sale for just $29 for those upgrading from Snow Leopard.

A plethora of updates to core systems and application have been included in this release. It’s “Better, Faster. Easier”, to quote Apple. To read what’s new in Snow Leopard check out the
Apple website.

And, of course, ProtectMac AntiVirus fully supports this new operating system.
Support Information...

ProtectMac AntiVirus v1.1 Snow Leopard version available

A new version of ProtectMac AntiVirus, version 1.1, is available to compliment the forthcoming release of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

The new version of ProtectMac AntiVirus also includes the following enhancements:

  • Snow Leopard is fully supported in both 32-bit and 64-bit modes.
  • Compatibility with FileVault has been improved.
  • File-access scanning performance has been enhanced.

Users should ensure that they are running ProtectMac AntiVirus version 1.1 or later before upgrading to Snow Leopard. See the Support pages for
more information...

Mac OS X 10.5.8 Released

Apple has released version 10.5.8, probably the last major upgrade of Mac OS X 10.5 before Mac OS X 10.6, Snow Leopard, is available sometime in August or September.

The latest upgrade to Leopard is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Check for Updates’ selected in your System Preferences.

“The 10.5.8 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard version 10.5.7 and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.”

There are specific fixes in several areas:

  • compatibility and reliability issues when joining AirPort networks.
  • an issue that could cause some monitor resolutions to no longer appear in Displays System Preferences.
  • issues that may affect Bluetooth reliability.

This update also upgrades Safari to version 4.0.2.

For detailed information on this update, please visit the Apple support website: 
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3606

The numerous security patches, ranging from kernel to dock enhancements, are described in the following knowledgebase article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3757

OSX.Jahlav.C Trojan discovered

A variant of the Jahlav family of Trojans has been discovered. OSX.Jahlav.C pretends to be a fix for a missing ActiveX Object, copying itself to your Mac when you run the installer.

For more information see the Macintosh Malware page.

Security Update for iTunes and QuickTime

Apple has released an update to fix a number of security issues within QuickTime and iTunes.

QuickTime version 7.6.2, resolves an exploit whereby hackers creating a movie or graphics file could use this file to execute malicious code on your computer. iTunes version 8.2, fixes a stack buffer overflow problem which again could allow hackers to run code if the user visits a “maliciously crafted website”.

The updates to these applications apply to both Mac and Windows users.

Mac OS X 10.5.7 Released

Apple has released version 10.5.7. The latest upgrade to Mac OS 10.5 Leopard is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have Check for Updates selected in your Preferences.

“The Mac OS X 10.5.7 Update is recommended for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.”

Be patient, though, as the upgrade includes changes to many applications and components and has several security fixes, it stands at a hefty 449MB for 10.5.6 users!

Further details of the upgrade can be found on the Apple support page
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3397 along with a description of the Security Updates http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

OSX.RSPlug.F Discovered

A variant of the RSPlug Trojan has been discovered that modifies network configuration on your Mac, changing the DNS Server settings and redirecting the user to malicious websites when browsing the internet.

The Trojan has been posted on various websites as installers for Avid Express Pro.

For more information view the Macintosh Malware page.

OSX.iServices.B Trojan Horse discovered with pirated copies of Adobe PhotoShop CS4

A Trojan Horses, OSX.iServices.B, have been discovered on BitTorrent websites packaged with a copy of Adobe PhotoShop CS4. Along with a commercial copy of Adobe PhotoShop, the downloaded package contains an application to 'crack' the software's serial number protection. Running the Crack application installs the Trojan on your Mac.

The Trojan is a variant of the OSX.iWorkServices.A Trojan that was discovered a few days ago and exhibits similar characteristics once installed, attempting to connect to a remote server, freehostia.com:1024, on the Internet to broadcast its existence and download further malware from the server.

For more information see the
Macintosh Malware page.

OSX.iWorkServices.A Trojan Horse discovered in pirated copies of iWorks 09

A Trojan Horses, OSX.iWorkServices.A, have been discovered on BitTorrent websites inside a copy of iWorks 09 installer. Running the iWork 09 installer installs the Trojan on your Mac. The trojan attempts to connect to a remote server on the Internet, broadcasting its existence and enabling your Mac to download further malware.

For more information see the
Macintosh Malware page.

Mac OS X 10.5.6 Released

Apple have upgraded Leopard to 10.5.6. The latest upgrade is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have Check for Updates selected in your Preferences.

“The 10.5.6 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.”

Further details of the upgrade can be found on the Apple support page
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3194 along with a description of the Security Updates http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3338

A new Mac OS X Trojan Horse has been discovered: OSX.Jahlav.A

OSX.Jahlav.A has many similarities with the RSPlug.A Trojan that was discovered recently, having been written by the same virus writers. The Trojan can be found on several pornographic websites and purports to be a fix for Active X errors when attempting to view online videos. More Information...

OSX.Lamzev.A Trojan discovered

OSX.Lamzev.A, a Trojan Horse that could be used to open up a 'backdoor' on a compromised Mac, has been discovered. More Information...

Mac OS X 10.5.5 Released

Apple have upgraded Leopard to 10.5.5. The latest upgrade is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have Check for Updates selected in your Preferences.

“The 10.5.5 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac.”

Further details of the upgrade can be found on the Apple support page
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2405 along with a description of the Security Updates http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.5.4 (Leopard) Security Update

This latest release from Apple improves both the stability and security of Leopard in a number of areas. The update and a full description of the changes can be obtained from the Apple website.

Apple Remote Destop Agent vulnerability

An AppleScript Trojan horse (Hovdy.A/Saprilt.A) has been discovered that exploits a vulnerability in ARDAgent , a component of Apple's Remote Desktop technology, which allows unauthorized code to run as root. More Information...

Mac OS X Leopard Security Update

Apple have released a security update to fix a number of potential vulnerabilities in their operating system, and recommend that users download and install this update as soon as possible. The Mac OS X update includes a patch to prevent hackers from running malicious movie files and Flash based web content. For more information read the Apple Security Update information page.

DNSChanger aka RSPlug Trojan Horse discovered

A Trojan Horse posing as a codec to view pornographic videos has been discovered. The Trojan changes DNS settings on the infected Mac, redirecting the user's web requests to a number of potentially malicious websites.

Leopard Released

Apple have released their latest version of Mac OS X. Code named 'Leopard', Mac OS X 10.5 contains over 300 changes to the operating system. The new OS boasts an updated version of the desktop, Finder and a new automatic backup utility called Time Machine, along with a whole raft of other new features and enhancements Read More...

Macarena Virus Discovered

Macarena is a proof of concept virus that infects files that are run from the folder in which it resides.

Inqtana.B Bluetooth worm found

Inqtana.B is a variant of the Inqtana.A worm discovered earlier this month. Infected computers look for other Bluetooth-enabled computers on startup and the worm attempts to propagate by copying itself to the other computer(s).

Inqtana.A Proof of concept worm

Inqtana.A is a proof of concept worm that runs by exploiting a vulnerability in Apple's Bluetooth technlogy. It propagates by copying itself to other computers via Bluetooth.

First OS X Virus appears - Leap.A

The first virus for Mac OS X has been discovered. The virus named 'Leap.A' propagates via iChat instant messaging by sending a file called latestpics.tgz to the contacts in a user's 'Buddy List'. Be aware once the archive file is expanded the virus attempts to disguise itself by posing as a jpeg graphics file, named latestpics. Users should not double-click this file.

If you believe you may be infected by Leap.A contact Support for advice on how to remove it.