Comments on: New Mac Trojan targets porn viewers (i.e. Everyone)

By: imajoebob

imajoebob — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:54:05 +0000

Thanks, Intego, for letting me know that “The best way to protect against this exploit is to run Intego VirusBarrier X4.” All this time I thought the best way to protect against this exploit was to use the default OS X settings, and not install unsolicited software from Porn Sites! (I’m still trying to find a viewer to decode that naked jpeg of Anna Kournikova somebody emailed me back in 1999).

Here’s my $80 to protect me from this “critical” security alert. Wait, let’s go with the package deal for an extra 35 bucks. For that I get your VirusBarrier, a free copy of my credit report, enrollment in your do-not-call phone list, my preferred membership card, and you change the fluid in my windshield washer reservoir.

Whoever came up with this idea better get stock options. Just keep them away from my mother’s pension account.

By: Tim F.

Tim F. — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:42:11 +0000

Aviad, I believe you’re confusing a trojan and a virus.

A trojan masquerades as a useful piece of software that the user installs. Since they rely so heavily on social engineering, trojans aren’t as dangerous as viruses or worms. The piece of malware above is a trojan.

A virus installs with minimal user interface; Usually all that’s required of the user is that he open an email, visit a website, or insert a disk. Since they do require some form of interaction, viruses are not quite as dangerous as worms. Think MyDoom.

A worm self-replicates through a network by exploiting security holes. Think Nachi.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:15:11 +0000

It does seriously make you wonder about the origins of these viruses when the companies promoting their existence just “happen” to have already created a fix for them doesn’t it ?

The virus industry depends on new virus development for their existence and it must piss them off something rotten that there is still no real virus available for OS X as it removes one avenue of development for them. They must be doubly bothered now they can see that the rate of take up of OS X and Macs is increasing as quickly as it is….

–
Scott
http://ukmac.net

By: Aviad Ben Dov

Aviad Ben Dov — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:34:44 +0000

Trojan horse? Seriously though, aren’t they supposed to be very bad because they install on your system Without you doing anything active for it? This Trojan horse seems to require you to launch its installer, then provide it with an administrator password(!).

By: The Hendry

The Hendry — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:56:59 +0000

Intego’s site is loading very slowly. Looks like the got what they wanted with this sensationalized story.