Apple: Mac OS X update coming to block MacDefender malware
Tipster TJ just pointed us to a new Apple Support knowledge base article that describes how to avoid and remove the MacDefender malware. It's largely the same information that we have in our removal guide, but it's good to see that Apple is now making the instructions available for everyone. (Sample tip: "If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using.")
One of the more interesting points from the knowledge base post is seen in the graphic above: Apple says that a Mac OS X software update is coming soon that will automatically find and remove MacDefender and its known variants, as well as giving users a warning if the malware is downloaded to the Mac.
According to our developer friends, Apple also sent out a Developer Seed Notice on May 20 to Mac developers regarding Mac OS X 10.6.8 Build 10K524, which became available for download and testing on that date. We have reason to believe that this security/malware patch will be rolled into Mac OS X 10.6.8, which means it's coming pretty soon.
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Tipster TJ just pointed us to a new Apple Support knowledge base article that describes how to avoid and remove the MacDefender...
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IA friend helped me delete the Mac Protector (defender) 2 weeks ago. No problems since. I do have very slow MacBook Pro in my home network. My Imac has occaisional slowness too. Related to the malware?
May 28 2011 at 8:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt would be wise for Apple to get ahead of the virus problem in general and provide a free Apple equivalent to Microsoft Security Essentials (that Microsoft belatedly developed for windows).
May 25 2011 at 9:22 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBelated or not, its a welcomed offering, along with the built in Malicious Software Removal Tool and the new Microsoft Safety Scanner. The Windows OS itself may not be a security champion, but Microsoft really has become the model on how to handle security updates. They push out regular updates, they give detailed explanations as to what each vulnerability is, and they don't hold back any updates for marketing or PR reasons, even if it breaks yet another record of fixed vulnerabilities.
May 25 2011 at 12:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI sure hope this update is optional, I don't want no stinking anti-virus on anti-malware. Not on my Windows machines, and certainly not on my OS X and Linux machines. I can take care of all that myself, thanks.
May 25 2011 at 8:12 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf you use Snow Leopard, you already have basic anti-malware built in ;). Its more on the lines of Windows Defender than a full blown anti-virus, but it's still plenty useful.
And what about those with G5s who are still running 10.5.8 and cannot upgrade to 10.6? Why not a little Security Update for them too?? There is a lot of them still around.
May 25 2011 at 12:36 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWait, let me get this straight....
Instead of bowing to the pressure of all the whiners who said that Apple wasn't doing anything and rushing into a decision, Apple instead took their time, figured out the best way to handle it, and has decided to release an update that will clear up the problem?
It almost sounds sensible when you put it that way.
I think I had it. I wouldnt call it virus though. It was more of a scaremongering tactic. Millions of these apps are found on pcs. No need to panic just yet. We are still in control of our macs :)
Just a bit of playing with activity monitor and thats that.
Hey, isn't all that what Apple's purported to be telling their AppleCare people NOT to tell their customers? Let's see, how to force quit, how to use Activity Monitor to stop tasks, yes, it's all in there. Huh. Did someone get their FUD wrong? Or did Apple have some kind of temporary insanity, and maybe they're over it now? Please, Ed Bott, tell me the truth!
May 24 2011 at 8:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat was de-bunked else where. Apple Store staff were removing anything and everything to do with this Malware.
May 24 2011 at 10:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMy Safari has a slow load I don't have any virus' or bugs in my computer that I have checked. And Now I am using Nightly from Mozilla which is running perfectly. I was using Aurora before and I am done testing that one for Mac that will be coming out soon. I am not having any problems with Nightly either. Windows is still working out the bugs they are still having problems.. They are looking for more developers and beta testers.
May 24 2011 at 7:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHow many extensions do you have enabled on Safari? Just like Chrome and Firefox the more you add the worst it gets. I use Firefox mainly cause I can have multiple profiles [Default, Clean, Dev]
May 24 2011 at 10:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI have 2 extentions on my safari and my Nighty works fine it works better than chrome. Chrome does not even play pogo.com
May 24 2011 at 11:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIs this the beginning where we see a Microsoft-style malicious software removal tool roll out with each Mac OS X update? I'm certainly not against it.
May 24 2011 at 6:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI hope they get in there quick before Symantec attempts to sue Apple like they tried with MS when they wanted to lock out the kernel for Windows Vista/7
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