Organized Internet Criminals Sizing Up Macs as Targets
Organized Internet Criminals Sizing Up Macs as Targets
by , 2:35 PM EST, January 22nd, 2008
Organized criminal gangs working on the Internet have started to size up their opportunities with the Mac and users, according to a Sophos report.
Previously, organized criminals have not paid much attention to Macs when there are so many poorly protected Windows systems to go after. However, in 2007, according to the report, cited by Help Net Security on Tuesday, it's not just security researchers who are writing proof of concept code but financially motivated hackers.
The first example was the Mac OS X/RSplug-Gen file triggered by a visit to malicious Websites by a Mac users. However, if the site is visited by a Windows computer, the Zlobar-Fam Trojan is delivered.
"No-one should underestimate the significance of financially-motivated malware arriving for Apple Macs," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos." Noting that Macs have a long way to go in market share and use in the enterprise, he said that the Mac's increasing attractiveness to consumers is starting to receive attention by hackers. However, "...if enough Apple Mac users resist clicking on unsolicited weblinks or downloading unknown code from the Web then there's a chance they could send a clear message to the hackers that it's not financially rewarding to target Macs. If they fail to properly defend themselves, however, there's a chance that more cyber criminals will decide it's worth their while to develop more malware for Mac during 2008."
Observer Comments
Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:07 pm Subject: Apple Malware SDK
If you want to see more malware for the Mac, you should ask Apple about finally delivering a robust Malware SDK for Mac OS X. Using the same technology as the iPhone SDK, they should be able to deliver a malware platform for 3rd parties that is safe, secure, and supported.
As for organized gangs... The last time I went to a meeting, they couldn't even decide who was supposed to call the meeting to order, let alone collect dues to order pizza and beer. It was like going to a Ron Paul for President meetup, except the people smelled better.
At first, I thought "Oh great, another security firm trying to drum up some business through FUD." But then I realized... Sophos doesn't sell to end users at all. They are purely a corporate vendor. They don't seem to have the same motive as other security firms.
Though I don't know about the "organized gangs" term.. that's FUDtacular. (Does "Say hello to my little friend" now refer a Mini? A nano? )
QuoteBosco wrote:
If you want to see more malware for the Mac, you should ask Apple about finally delivering a robust Malware SDK for Mac OS X. Using the same technology as the iPhone SDK, they should be able to deliver a malware platform for 3rd parties that is safe, secure, and supported.
Nicely played, sir.
QuoteBosco wrote:
As for organized gangs... The last time I went to a meeting, they couldn't even decide who was supposed to call the meeting to order, let alone collect dues to order pizza and beer. It was like going to a Ron Paul for President meetup, except the people smelled better.
VERY nicely played, sir.
Anyway... this should be interesting. Let's see if we were right, all those years of telling people "Macs are inherently more secure, it's not just that malware authors are (perfectly understandably) ignoring them!".
In any case, next time I'm browsing an ad-covered porn site which tells me I need to install an unidentified video codec and then suspiciously downloads and opens the installer for me, I'll make a note to ignore it.
Quoteata wrote:
In any case, next time I'm browsing an ad-covered porn site which tells me I need to install an unidentified video codec and then suspiciously downloads and opens the installer for me, I'll make a note to ignore it.
If they can put the malware in a porn site then they could put into a non-porn site and trick people into downloading the malware.
Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:07 am Subject:
Quoteata wrote:
Anyway... this should be interesting. Let's see if we were right, all those years of telling people "Macs are inherently more secure, it's not just that malware authors are (perfectly understandably) ignoring them!".
In any case, next time I'm browsing an ad-covered porn site which tells me I need to install an unidentified video codec and then suspiciously downloads and opens the installer for me, I'll make a note to ignore it.
Don't forget that these are two very different things. Nothing is secure if you can get the gatekeeper to hand you the keys.
Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.
Recent Headlines - Updated November 9th
- Mon, 5:16 PM
- Apple Releases Mac OS X 10.6.2 - Guest Account Bug Fixed, Much More
- 4:12 PM
- Games - New For iPhone: Star Rangers, Air Force Supremacy, Blood Beach, More
- 2:51 PM
- Apple Stock Watch - Radio Shack Jumps 14% on iPhone Deal, Apple Up 3%
- 2:25 PM
- Games - EA Scoops Up Social Games Publisher Playfish
- 1:51 PM
- Deal Brothers - Western Digital 1TB SATA Intellipower Hard Drive: $84.99
- 10:58 AM
- News - StarHub Signs Singapore iPhone Deal
- 10:36 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Reader Speculation: What’s in Apple’s Tablet?
- 10:08 AM
- News - Apple Kicks Off New Credit Program
- 9:26 AM
- News - Apple Launches Reserve and Pick Up Program
- 8:49 AM
- News - ikee Worm Rickrolls Jailbroken iPhones
- 8:14 AM
- Product News - Client Folder Maker 3.5 Adds Snow Leopard Support
- Sun, 11:59 AM
- Mac Geek Gab Podcast - MGG 226: Magic Mouse, Apple Battery Secrets, Q&A
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
OWC: Get the Right Memory / Ram for your Mac. Top Quality, Competitive Prices, Lifetime Warranty. Expert Support and Video Installation Guidies too! 4.0GB Matched Sets from $87.99, Options up to 32GB. Click here
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
