Malwarebytes: No Malware Explosion On The Mac

Recently came out with a US security investigation that this year an explosion of Mac malware has occurred, but according to anti-malware company Malwarebytes this is not true. The amount of new malware for Apple's operating system would because for years the valleys.

Bit9 + Carbon Black, such as the US company called, suggested that this year almost 1000 new malware specimens was observed for the Mac. Five times as many as in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 combined. Details were lacking in the investigation of the company. Malwarebytes late now know that last year only six new families of malware for the Mac have appeared. This year, the count is three new threats.

It involved an infected version of Xcode, Apple's development software where mostly Chinese app developers were victims. There was Ocean Lotus, a threat that infected a few users in China. Finally there was another nameless specimen discovered that users of MacKeeper attacked.

Adware

Why do Mac users with a surge of potentially unwanted software (PUPs) had to face, such as adware. "Adware for Mac multiplies like the proverbial rabbits," said analyst Thomas Reed. According to him making many Mac users with adware.While adware steal any information or money, it can cause problems. Thus users find it annoying and can cause performance problems and crashes.

Yet there is also possible, according to Reed a positive side because Mac users aware of online threats, which is an immediate serious danger. "This can ensure safe behavior, something that users were often told it was not necessary, as" Macs do not get viruses. "And that behavior can make a difference if there appear really something evil in the future."

Company Claims Nearly 1,000 New Mac Malware In 2015

An American security company claims it has this year found nearly 1,000 instances of malware for Mac OS X, five times as many as in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 combined. However, the report from Bit9 and Carbon Black does not know what malware is involved.

Also not reported how it is contracted, how widespread the malware found and whether for instance, there are trails. As a result, it is unclear how large the actual threat is now. The study (pdf) researchers from Bit9 and Carbon Black gathered for a period of 10 weeks in all sorts of places malware specimens, such as blacklists, Cont Agio malware dump, open source and security incidents. In total more than 1400 unique OS X malware specimens were found. 180 examples date from 2010 to 2014. 948 copies were for the first time this year have appeared.

"The number of copies in this analysis is large enough that even the most optimistic Mac OS X user realizes that security is now of paramount importance," said the researchers. They expect the number of Mac malware attacks will increase in the coming months. How that will take place just is not reported. Recently, anti-virus firm BitDefender said that nearly half of all Mac malware is actually adware.

Mac users run mainly via adware bundled software, for example through pop-ups and ads on websites that say that something is wrong may be using the computer or the performance improved. Bitdefender recommends Mac users also to be selective about which programs they download and install. It is also advised to only download apps from the official Mac App Store. Researchers at Carbon Black advised Mac users to install a virus scanner, with free alternatives to Avast, Malwarebytes, and Sophos highlights. Users who wonder if they are infected may be advised the Dynamic Hijack Scanner or Knock Knock use.

Anti-Virus Company: Nearly Half Of Mac Threats Consist Of Adware

Almost half of the threats for Mac OS X falls into the category of adware, says the Romanian antivirus company BitDefender on the basis of its own research. The virus fighter analyzed the Mac malware that appeared in the first six months of this year.

Of all Mac malware found in the United States showed 46% can be classified as adware. In Germany, Denmark and Romania was about 45%, 61% and 58% respectively. However, no absolute numbers, so it is unclear how many copies are involved. Once active adware can display unwanted pop-ups and ads and adjust search results.

Mac users run mainly via adware bundled software, for example through pop-ups and ads on websites that say that something is wrong may be using the computer or the performance improved. Bitdefender recommends Mac users also to be selective about which programs they download and install. It is also advised to read the terms and conditions of the software, install a AdBlocker and Mac OS X to keep up-to-date. Earlier it was even called that adware is the main threat for Mac users.

Amount Of Mac Malware Is Still Very Limited

All years warn anti-virus companies for Mac malware, but the number of copies that attacks Apple users is still very limited. According to a survey from security company Webroot. Every year appear as two new threats for the Mac.

Often these Trojans posing as an application but in fact malware. The most successful Mac malware was hitherto Flashback, which first appeared in 2011 and in 2012, infecting some 700,000 Macs knew. In recent years, such large infections failed to materialize and in 2015, according to Webroot's still not a big threat appeared for the Mac. According to some experts, adware also the biggest threat for Mac users.

Despite the small number of copies Webroot provides in its own overview Mac malware according to the security firm is indeed a serious threat that will only get bigger. "Even after mentioning all these malware will be people who refuse to believe that their Mac is vulnerable to attack, but trust me. It will now only get worse. Apple increases its market share and thus come opportunities for malware authors to make money, "said analyst Devin Byrd.

According to some experts, is the threat especially in user behavior. Macs could become infected mainly because software users outside the site of the supplier or downloading illegal software use. Recently left the Austrian test lab for anti-virus programs AV-Comparatives know which experienced Mac users also can do without virus.

Researcher: Most Mac Malware Is Hopelessly Behind

Most malware for Mac OS X is hopelessly behind compared to Windows malware, says researcher Patrick Wardle . "To draw a comparison, it is almost true Windows malware 10 to 15 years ago," so let him opposite Threat Post know. Most specimens Wardle encounter are individual files that are easy to find via the Activity Monitor.

The researcher is concerned about the Mac malware is unknown and unnoticed by the sluggishness of advanced testing tools. Where Windows has advanced and aggressive tools to detect malware, which are not for OS X, allowing sophisticated threats are missed possible. Therefore he will showcase at the upcoming Black Hat conference in Las Vegas how "elegant" Mac malware is making, which can evade anti-malware measures of OS X and third-party security tools.

So Wardle shows how Gatekeeper is remotely bypass to from unsigned code downloaded and run and how to get round all the popular virus scanners and firewalls are simple via malware. However, the investigator concludes with several free security tools that can detect or even prevent advanced Mac malware. "With these tools, we ensure that our computers are better protected against both current and future Mac malware."

Trojan Discovered In Free Mac Software

A Trojan horse spies on the surfing behavior of Mac users is found in free software, warns the Russian anti-virus company Doctor Web. It would, among other things, the program "Install Free Video Cutter Joiner" go, in which a new variant of the OpinionSpy was found.

This malware can gather information about open sites, analyze network traffic intercepted traffic of chat programs, send files on the system to the malware creator and install extensions in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. The Trojan would be found on various websites that offer free software. During the installation, the malware admin rights.

How many Macs do not know by the Trojan tainted late Doctor Web. Nevertheless labeled the anti-virus company OpinionSpy as " threat of the month . " When it comes to infected Macs took the virus fighter in February still about 20,000 Macs infected with the Flashback Trojan from 2012.