Beware Of Mac Malware Attacks and Trojans

With the release of the new OS 10.6 (now 10.6.1) There was never any doubt that hackers would try to reap benefits of the upgrade and new user community. Many people (no, not me) will or have undoubtedly looked or tried to get a free copy of the new operating system.  BEWARE!

"Information Week reports, there are web sites claiming to offer free copies of Macintosh OS 10.6, but they are actually trying to hack your computer.

With regard to security, Trend Micro said that one its researchers had discovered several Web sites advertising free copies of Snow Leopard. What's actually offered is malware, specifically, a DNS changing Trojan known as OSX_JAHLAV.K.

"Once executed, OSX_JAHLAV.K decrypts codes, which include a script that downloads other malicious scripts," said Trend Micro's Bernadette Irinco in a blog post. "The said script then alters the DNS configuration and includes two additional IPaddresses in its DNS server. Users are thus possibly redirected to phishing sites and other fraudulent sites. In fact, some of these bogus sites are reportedly hosting FAKEAV (rogue antivirus) variants and components."

According to Trend Micro, OSX_JAHLAV.K may be downloaded without the user's knowledge following a visit to a malicious Web site. The Trojan, however, has a "low" overall risk rating. From Information Week.

Remember that there are no free copies of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, or Microsoft 7 for that matter.

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