Latest Mac Trojan

Mac OS X has been, and remains, quite secure to infiltration by automated malware such as viruses.  The system does an unsurpassed job of preventing undetected infections.  However, there is little that can be done if the user chooses to install the malware themselves.

And so, malware writers trying to get into your Mac have turned to delivering their infections as Trojan Horses, or simply “Trojans.”  These are programs that claim to be one thing in order to trick the user into installing them and then  turn out to be something else entirely.

Last year, the first true Mac OS X trojan entered the wild.  It was distributed by  a small selection of porn sites.  These sites required the user to download a player application to view the requested porn.  When the user installed the player, a spyware package was installed as well.

Today,  a second round of such trojans has been uncovered.  This time the spyware is being distributed with free screen saver programs and a utility called “MishInc FLV To Mp3”.  All of the infected screen saver programs are made by 7art-screensavers.

These programs install a second program called “PremierOpinion” that contains the spyware.  If you have installed the program “MishInc FLV To Mp3” or a screensaver from 7art-screensavers, you should get one of the latest anti-virus software packages for Macintosh to remove the spyware.

Practice Safe Computing

The internet makes it easy to find and install obscure software.  Remember to only install software from trusted sources.  If a site tells you it requires certain software to run (such as the most recent version of Flash), go to a trusted site to get the software (for Flash, go to adobe.com) rather than simply following whatever link the site offers.  When in doubt, google the software you are interested in.  See if others have used it and trust it.  See if there are any trojan warnings associated with it.  Go to the creator’s home website to download what you’re after rather than just accepting an offered link.

Despite this second wave of trojans for Mac OS X, it remains the safest operating system out there.  Malware for Windows numbers in the hundreds of thousands.  Malware for the Mac numbers 2 – none of which can self-reproduce or self-install.

I still run all my Macs without anti-virus software.  This latest trojan won’t change that.  It simply serves as a reminder to use prudence when installing software.

Infected Screen Savers:

Secret Land ScreenSaver v.2.8
Color Therapy Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
7art Foliage Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Nature Harmony Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Fiesta Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Fractal Sun Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Full Moon Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Sky Flight Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Sunny Bubbles Clock ScreenSaver v.2.9
Everlasting Flowering Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Magic Forest Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Freezelight Clock ScreenSaver v.2.9
Precious Stone Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Silver Snow Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Water Color Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Love Dance Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Galaxy Rhythm Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
7art Eternal Love Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Fire Element Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Water Element Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Emerald Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Radiating Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Rocket Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Serenity Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Gravity Free Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Crystal Clock ScreenSaver v.2.6
One World Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8
Sky Watch ScreenSaver v.2.8
Lighthouse Clock ScreenSaver v.2.8