SecurityMac OS X Lion (10.7) contains a security issue which can allow non-root users access to the password hashes as well as ability to change the password without authenticating the current password. Read more at “Defence in Depth” including full details, scenarios and temporary fixes.
August 19, 2011 • 1 min read
SecuritySecureMac has released MacScan 2.9 the latest in malware protection and security for Mac OS X offering full support for OS X 10.7 (Lion). MacScan 2.9 is available for purchase directly from the MacScan Site or within the application, users may evaluate MacScan for free for 30-days. Existing MacScan users can upgrade at no charge.
August 1, 2011 • 2 min read
SecurityReview by Israel Torres
Introduction
avast! Mac Edition is an Antivirus software for Mac. The software offers the following features:
On-Access Scanning
User friendly interface
Automatic updates
Integrated email protection
PowerPC and Intel supported
Simple Installation
This software is not free, however they offer a free 60 day trial version to download from their website. It comes in a variety of subscription flavors starting at 1 Year. It’s also offered with it’s PC version for a discounted rate. (Figure.00)
Note: It is very important to be sure to backup your system with Time Machine or alternative backup software (Carbon Copy …
June 4, 2011 • 12 min read
SecurityTrojan Horse Alert: SecureMac has identified a new version of the previously identified MAC Defender malware. The new variant, just like the previously identified “Mac Security,” “Mac Protector,” and “Mac Guard” versions, is an updated version of the original malware, rebranded as “Mac Shield.”
June 3, 2011 • 15 min read
SecuritySecureMac Security Bulletin
Posted: May 2nd, 2011
Security Risk: Low
A new privacy and security threat is targeting computers running Apple’s Mac OS X disguised as an anti-virus program called MAC Defender. The fake anti-virus program will “detect” nonexistent threats as being present on the user’s system in an effort to persuade them to hand over their credit card information and purchase a “subscription” to the program. If that doesn’t do enough to convince the user to buy the fake anti-virus program, it will start popping up pornographic websites to create an actual …
May 12, 2011 • 6 min read
SecurityPosted: May 2nd, 2011
Security Risk: Low
RELATED: MAC Defender Security Bulletin & Removal Instructions
PDF: https://www.securemac.com/pdf/macdefender.pdf
As noted in our security advisory at https://www.securemac.com/MAC-Defender-Rouge-Anti-Virus-Analysis-Removal.php there is a new piece of malware in the wild that is targeting computers running OS X. The following is a technical analysis of the malware sample that we analyzed; this analysis assumes familiarity with our original security advisory.
While this particular piece of malware is new to OS X, it follows the general modus operandi of most fake anti-virus programs that target Microsoft Windows. First, the user is presented …
May 2, 2011 • 5 min read
SecuritySecureMac Security Bulletin
Due to the easy removal of the currently identified variant of this malware, SecureMac rates this threat as low. This Security Bulletin will be updated if the threat changes.
Updated: May 9th, 2011
Updated: May 4th, 2011
Posted: May 2nd, 2011
Security Risk: Low
UPDATE, May 9th, 2011: SecureMac has discovered a new version of the previously identified MAC Defender malware. The new variant, just like the previous identified “Mac Security” version, is an updated version of the original malware, rebranded as “Mac Protector.”
UPDATE, May 4th, 2011: SecureMac has discovered a new version …
May 2, 2011 • 10 min read
SecurityAs predicted by the SecureMac team, the new version of BlackHole RAT 2 was officially released on a hacker message board this weekend, with some slight differences from the earlier version analyzed by SecureMac. The trojan horse, once installed, disguises itself as a Java Updater. In addition, the author is now referring to the trojan as Freeze RAT, but it contains much of the same code as BlackHole Rat 2.0a. The new version has a more complicated installation process that requires physical access to the computer, so SecureMac continues to rate this as a low threat.
April 3, 2011 • 3 min read
SecuritySecureMac is pleased to announce MacScan 2.8, the latest version of its award-winning anti-spyware privacy and security software for Apple’s Mac OS X. This new version of MacScan enhances protection against the latest threats for Mac OS X, adding usability enhancements and bug fixes.
April 3, 2011 • 1 min read
SecurityThe SecureMac team announced today that a new version of the BlackHole RAT 2.0 Trojan Horse for Mac OS X has been discovered. This new version should be not confused with an older variant from back in February already detected by SecureMac and other anti-malware software.
February 25, 2011 • 4 min read
SecurityApple has released Mac OS X 10.6.5 in the update includes many security concerns addressed. An outline of the security update 2010-007 can be found here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4435. Users should install this latest update, access the Software Update from within the System Preferences.
November 12, 2010 • 1 min read
SecurityCore Security has discovered a vulnerability in Mac OS X 10.5 which could be used by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code by getting the user to download a PDF document containing a embedded malicious CFF font. The advisory shows a communication timeline with Apple as well.
November 10, 2010 • 1 min read
SecurityReview: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac OS X
Posted: November 8th, 2010
Author: Israel Torres
Introduction
Sophos declares the following in their campaign for Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition:
Malware myth: Macs can’t get viruses.
SophosLabs have detected over 1,000 threats for Mac OS.
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition runs in the background and scans files for threats whenever your Mac opens them. It comes with an uninstaller (Applications/Remove Sophos) in case you want to remove it after trying it on your system.
I’ll be going through this review step-by-step and cover all the features related to …
November 8, 2010 • 17 min read
SecurityThe initial infection vector of the Boonana trojan is through a message on social networking sites similar to “Is this you in this video?” which includes a link to an external site. Upon clicking the link, a java applet will attempt to load in the user’s web browser.
The web browser will then prompt the user to allow content signed by an untrusted certificate to run.
When the user accepts the certificate, the applet loads.
Once the applet is loaded, it displays a fake YouTube interface to simulate a “video” by displaying a …
October 28, 2010 • 3 min read
SecurityVisit the Boonana advisory page for more details about the Trojan horse trojan.osx.boonana.a including initial analysis and removal instructions or download Boonana Trojan Horse Removal Tool directly.
October 28, 2010 • 3 min read
SecurityApple has updated Java for Mac OS X 10.5 and 10.6 addressing several security issues. Users are advised to download the latest update via Software Update in System Preferences or download directly from the Apple Download page.
May 19, 2010 • 1 min read
Security5.12.10 News
PGP Whole Disk Encryption (WDE) ensures your entire hard disk is encrypted and only accessible by you. Read the whole review of PGP Whole Disk Encryption for Mac OS X.
SecurityTrojan Horse Alert: Intego recently alerted users to the presence of a new variant of the HellRaiser Trojan Horse, which they identify as OSX/HellRTS.D. SecureMac has analyzed this new variant and it is detected in the latest MacScan spyware definitions update (Spyware Definitions Version 2010006) as HellRaiser Trojan Horse 4.2. MacScan has detected previous variants of this trojan horse since 2005.
HellRaiser is a trojan horse that allows complete control of a computer by a remote attacker, giving the attacker the ability to transfer files to and from the infected computer, pop up chat messages on the infected system, display pictures, speak messages, and even remotely restart or shut down the infected machine.
The attacker can search through the files on the infected computer, choosing exactly what they want to steal, view the contents of the clipboard, or even watch the user’s actions on the infected computer.
In order to become infected, a user must run the server component of the trojan horse, which can be disguised as an innocent file. The attacker then uses the client component of the trojan horse to take control of the infected system.
Read more about HellRaiser Trojan Horse aka OSX/HellRTS.D
April 16, 2010 • 2 min read
SecurityMac OS X Security Update – Apple posts new security update (2010-003) for Leopard and Snow Leopard. Users may update via the Software Updates System Preferences or by accessing Apple’s download site directly.
This security update addresses ATS (Apple Type Services) handling of embedded fonts. Accessing documents containing malicicously crafted embedded fonts may lead to arbitrary code execution. Charlie Miller is credited for discovery of this threat.
April 14, 2010 • 1 min read
SecurityApple has released Mac OS X 10.6.3, in this release it includes over a dozen security fixes. Users are advised to upgrade to the latest version of Mac OS X by accessing the Software Update in the System Preferences or by accessing Apple’s download page directly. http://support.apple.com/downloads/
March 30, 2010 • 1 min read