Half a million Mac computers 'infected with malware' {Flashback Trojan} (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

More than half a million Apple computers have been infected with the Flashback Trojan, according to a Russian anti-virus firm.

Its report claims that about 600,000 Macs have installed the malware - potentially allowing them to be hijacked and used as a "botnet".

The firm, Dr Web, says that more than half that number are based in the US.

Apple has released a security update, but users who have not installed the patch remain exposed.

Flashback was first detected last September when anti-virus researchers flagged up software masquerading itself as a Flash Player update. Once downloaded it deactivated some of the computer's security software.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17623422

[onehandle]

1. Hundreds of millions of PCs are infected by variants. You can check here...

For PCs and Macs: http://botnetchecker.com

Macs can automatically update to defend against this stuff. People who were infected probably don't allow this.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Nice link, thanks ! nt

[nashville_brook]

3. lifehacker has an easy guide to determining if you're infected

http://lifehacker.com/5899416/mac-flashback-trojan-find-out-if-youre-one-of-the-600000-infected

[nashville_brook]

4. interesting note...flashback exploits java not OSX

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/1096629