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Malware attacks scares Mac users
By siliconindia
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Friday, 06 May 2011, 20:05 IST
Bangalore: Malware attacks have become the trend of the day and the latest target is Mac users whose been aimed by MacDefender malware.
A popular version of MacDefender antivirus application has been able to create a sense of panic among the users. A bogus MacDefender application has been targeting the users while they search Google images. One of the user stated that this sham application got automatically downloaded when he browsed for images of Piranhas.
Safari browser has become the main portal of Mac users. Safari users are confused and scared as warnings came poping up that the user's computer has been infected with viruses that only the unofficial Mac Defender application can remove. The default browser in Mac OS can be set to automatically open trusted software. This means that users are getting infected without even a hint of what's happening until the malicious app demands payment for "protection."
'The Next web,' a technology based website, provided useful insights on how to protect your browser from such malwares and how to overcome if the application is automatically downloaded. In order to ensure that the apps do not get automatically downloaded uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck "Open 'safe' files after downloading." And to stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to Mac Defender. You can also look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app.
Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash. In order to ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find.
By using these instructions users can surely take a sign from malware attacks.
