Posted on 03/25/2009 9:41:58 AM PDT by Swordmaker
The real threat here is that it is on what appears to be a very professional, commercial web-page that invites you to download the Trojan as a HDTV viewer. The web-site is platform agnostic and will offer either the OS X trojan or a Windows Trojan for those who visit the site using a Windows computer. Be warned. It is a WELL DESIGNED SOCIAL ENGINEERING TRAP.
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Thank you for the warning, Swordmaker.
If it looks too good to be true.....
This is impossible because everyone knows MACs are virus proof.
Candy-gram / Land-shark ping!
Whats the matter. Jealous?
You apparently are unaware that there is a difference between a trojan horse and a virus.
A BIG difference. A “virus-prof” computer is no protection against a trojan, and you ought to know that.
Can someone please tell me the difference between a virus and a trojan horse, because I may know my tech stuff, but I am not perfect. Thanks.
Has the threat of computer attacks with Mac has gone up because the newer Macs are intel-based? Thanks for the response.
When you see ‘trojan’ think Trojan horse - you let the bad guys inside usually by falling for a trick.
When you see ‘virus’ think cold. It self-replicates and spreads by contact (the network).
Okay, so tragan horse means you must let the attacker in. Virus gets in on its own. :)
I’ll take a stab at that one.
Intel would make it easier for developing software for Mac/PC, but the OS and GUI have much more say in strength of defense.
So making it would be a bit easier, but making it is not your primary obstacle.
There are still no viruses in the wild for Macs.
That’s it in a nutshell, without a few dozen if, ands and buts.
Thanks!
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Re: virus proof
This is not a virus. It’s a Trojan horse application; a program that is masquerading as something other than what it is. It requires the user to install it.
Re: threat up because of intel switch.
Nope. OSX is still built on UNIX whether it’s on PowerPC or Intel.
Short answer: none that do more good than harm.
Use the internal firewall (external firewall is always a good idea too).
Use strong password for your admin account. If possible, have other users run not at full admin. (If it’s a teens machine, this may not be feasible).
Here’s some basic measures to take for security:
http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/unlock_truth_about_mac_security_risks?page=0%2C2
If they practice safe computing they’ll be safe.
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