Tech News
News of interest to other Mac users
Flashback infections becoming widespread
Posted on February 21st, 2012 at 10:16 AM EST
A little more than a week ago, I wrote about a new variant of Flashback that displays virus-like behavior, being able to infect the machine without user interaction, in Flashback using Java vulnerabilities. I did not take this too seriously, since the current version of Java fixes the vulnerabilities that this relies on. However, many users evidently still have outdated versions of Java installed, as there has been an explosion of users reporting symptoms of Flashback infection. I cannot over-emphasize the fact that all Mac users need to immediately check the version of Java that they are running, and update if necessary! Read the rest of this entry »
Flashback using Java vulnerabilities
Posted on February 10th, 2012 at 4:19 PM EST
According to Intego, a new variant of Flashback has appeared that is taking advantage of Java vulnerabilities and a new social exploit. Most concerning is the fact that the malware is apparently able to infect a Mac without any user interaction at all! As I haven’t seen any other reports of this new trojan yet, we’re going to have to rely solely on Intego’s report. Read the rest of this entry »
Beware iAntivirus!
Posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 7:56 AM EST
I have always had a problem with iAntivirus’ published threat list, which mostly includes hacker tools and antique viruses that cannot affect any system made this century. I’ve always found that to be misleading. However, iAntivirus has come back to my attention after years of not thinking about it, and what I see now concerns me greatly. I believe that, at this point, it may actually be dangerous to rely on iAntivirus!
The myth of the dirty Mac
Posted on January 24th, 2012 at 3:24 PM EST
An oft-asked question by many Mac users is “How do I clean my Mac’s system?” The advice they frequently receive involves things like deleting log files, clearing caches, removing cookies and all manner of other things. There are dozens of utilities that help users do these tasks. So, which one is best? The answer may surprise you: none of them! But why? Read the rest of this entry »
Recovering deleted files
Posted on December 5th, 2011 at 2:51 PM EST
You have deleted one or more files that you really shouldn’t have, and you don’t have a backup of that data, so you’re freaking out. Everyone’s been there at some point. If that is what has led you here, my advice to you is simple: stop reading right now! Yes, I’m totally serious. Shut down your computer immediately, and do not turn it on again until you have resolved the problem. Find a different computer, iPad, smartphone, anything with a web browser – go to your local public library if necessary – and read the rest of this article. If you keep using the computer, you reduce the chance of being able to recover what you need! I’ll be here when you get back.
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FinFisher vulnerability closed
Posted on November 29th, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST
Apple recently shipped a fix for a vulnerability in iTunes that allowed an attacker to send users on a malicious wireless network malware disguised as legitimate software updates. It seems that, although the patch applies to Mac OS X, security researchers were only able to find a way to exploit this vulnerability in Windows. So why do we Mac users care about this? Because of the interesting fact that this vulnerability was apparently used by FinFisher, a hacker tool sold by a company named Gamma International to world governments, to be used for covert surveillance! Read the rest of this entry »
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New DevilRobber trojan
Posted on October 28th, 2011 at 9:02 PM EST
Intego has announced discovery of yet another Mac trojan, which they call DevilRobber. DevilRobber seems to be primarily oriented towards the task of bitcoin mining, and at this time is exclusively distributed in modified applications distributed illegally over torrents. But what does all that mean to the average user? Read the rest of this entry »
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News report confused about Tsunami
Posted on October 26th, 2011 at 11:07 AM EST
MacWorld has posted an online article about a new threat called Tsunami, a tool that can be used for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against web sites. Many security sites are also posting stories about Tsunami as well. But there’s some confusion in all the news. So what is Tsunami, what does it do and is it a concern to Mac users? Read the rest of this entry »
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Flashback targets XProtect
Posted on October 20th, 2011 at 9:51 AM EST
Security firm F-Secure reported yesterday on a new variant of Flashback that targets the built-in malware protection in Mac OS X. Apparently, this variant deletes and overwrites the XProtectUpdater process, which is responsible for keeping the XProtect malware definitions up-to-date. This means that, if you get infected, repairing the damage becomes more difficult. Even if you remove the malware, XProtect will have been crippled, making it easier for you to be infected by other malware in the future. Read the rest of this entry »
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iPhone can log keystrokes through vibrations
Posted on October 19th, 2011 at 4:23 PM EST
A team from the Georgia Institute of Technology has announced that they have discovered a way to record keystrokes using an iPhone placed within a few inches of a keyboard. Just to be clear, this is not keylogging on the iPhone’s keyboard; this technique involves reading the keystrokes on a keyboard that is not connected to the iPhone! By analyzing the vibrations caused by each key press and picked up by the accelerometer, these researchers have been able to achieve about 80% accuracy recording keystrokes with an iPhone 4. (The less precise accelerometers in older iPhones do not work as well.) Read the rest of this entry »
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