Apple Adds Malware Blocker to Snow Leopard
Word on the street is Apple has added malware protection to Snow Leopard.
A lot of Apple fans boast about how their computer might be expensive, but at least they don't have to bother with any antivirus or malware protection. However, it seems those days are over as Apple has added malware protection to the latest version of its OS, OSX 10.6 or Snow Leopard.
First reported by Intego, the Register reports that the protection was quietly added earlier this month to build 10A432, which is the most recent build of Snow Leopard. However, the Reg goes on to cite a source that said the functionality was included in 10A421a, a much earlier build.
The feature is said to warn users if they try to install applications known to be malicious. However, according to the Register's anonymous source, it's quite limited; for one, it's only checking for two known Mac trojans, and two, it only flags those files if they were downloaded from the internet using Entourage, iChat, Safari, and a handful of other applications.
It might not be much, but it's definitely a step away from the belief that Mac users don't have to worry about viruses.
Image Credit: Intego
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And I thought Mac's get NO virus and have NO bugs...
Don't think Apple ever claimed that they got now virus and no bugs. They instead say windows has LOTS of malware/virus to deal with.
Don't think Apple ever claimed that they got now virus and no bugs. They instead say windows has LOTS of malware/virus to deal with.
And if OSX had 90%+ of the global desktop marketshare, Microsoft could say the exact same thing.
Certainly far far fewer of them target Macs. But on the other hand, in 30 years I've never had a virus on any of my own systems, Apple or otherwise, unless it was a virtual machine that I intentionally infected in order to write removal tools for clients. Authors of malware would fail miserably but for the users who aid proliferation.
And if OSX had 90%+ of the global desktop marketshare, Microsoft could say the exact same thing.
Exactly.
A "great " app indeed; guys at Apple are either irresponsible or too cocky to come up with such a limited product when it comes to malware protection. That's why I would never use a Mac to deal with any of my personal data...
Certainly far far fewer of them target Macs. But on the other hand, in 30 years I've never had a virus on any of my own systems, Apple or otherwise, unless it was a virtual machine that I intentionally infected in order to write removal tools for clients. Authors of malware would fail miserably but for the users who aid proliferation.
Target windows with 90% of all computer users being potential victims?
OR
Target Macs with 4% (guess) of all computer users being potential victims?
If i were spending the time to code a virus i would certainly make it for Windows...
Apple will keep boasting until some virus authors start to take it as a challenge.
First Apple tells its customers they don't need such software. Then they release their own software, tied into their OS. How is this not antitrust? Man, I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but come on, won't someone bring Apple to justice?
That said, this just sounds like "Malicious Software Removal Tool Mac Edition" to me.
First Apple tells its customers they don't need such software. Then they release their own software, tied into their OS. How is this not antitrust? Man, I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but come on, won't someone bring Apple to justice?That said, this just sounds like "Malicious Software Removal Tool Mac Edition" to me.
False adv, maybe... anti-trust?... na... OSX or MAC's market share is not even over 50% if not 15%...
By the way, they were kind of right on what they said... because instead of having users install the software... they quitely add the software in the OS (though the power of the software appears to be kind of limited)...lol
Tmike your full of crap. There is no way in hell you have gone 30 years useing a pc on the internet and never got a virus. BS. Now if you want to say you have never got a virus that caused serious damage to your PC then i might believe you, otherwise i'm calling you a out right lier. Antivirus programs if used proper can catch most viruses but 30 years useing innternet without a virus, give me a break.
Last I heard Apple had actually said that their users should run 2 anti-virus's to be safe.
Welcome to the club.
At least Mac users don't have to feed AV companies? I don't know, I run antivirus software in all my computers, Windows or not, it's there just in case. There's no OS that's safe from virus.
Everytime I see the dmg extension I think "Damage".
Somewhere someone is taking this as a challenge.
I think Symantec should sue them, as did the EU with the browser thing.
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I wasn't one who said macs are immune to such attacks. While there are security improvements they got from the bsd derived base, its no means bulletproof. That said, I think whether your os is riddled with malware or not there should at least be some level of protection bundled. Microsoft has released a product awhile back and now so has Apple. I'm a belt and suspenders kinda guy, so I think security should have 2 levels and obscurity isn't one of them.
Now, I think its time for consumer linux distros to start considering bundling similiar software in their iso's.
lifelesspoet: Linux doesn't need anti-malware, not because of limited market share, but by design. Windows and to a lesser extent, OSX, pretty much sell you a house with no doors, and expect you to hire security guards(antivirus and firewall) to examine everything coming in and out. Linux sells you a house with doors that lock, it pretty much cock-blocks any opportunity to execute code remotely. Combined with large package repositories with trusted open-source software, there's no reason to go to shady freeware sites to download applications. Closed-source is the enemy here, not market share.
It's one thing when you integrate an unintrusive virus-prevention safeguard into an OS. But I have to question it's effectiveness if it only works on files downloaded through certain programs, and only checks for two known threats.
It's another when it's an add-on program that requires a subscription and isn't natively part of the OS that runs in the background sucking up resources while overreacting to every little thing that changes. (I realize there are good free options available, but the average consumer wouldn't know about them.)
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...
Guys, when it comes to make money there is no customer. Apple and Microsoft are out to make money. If Apple has to say that their advantage is a more secure system over PCs they will. If they have to say that their hardware (I've heard that from some confused Mac Lusers) is superior, their OS is better to get there they will. Once they get up there there will be no difference to Microsfot and then some other company maybe Brocolli will rise and we start the cycle again. I really wish Apple's market share increases.
Apple will keep boasting until some virus authors start to take it as a challenge.
+1. Kind of reminds me of this:
http://www.insidetech.com/news/art [...] -in-return
The hackers (technically crackers) are a pretty close knit group.
PC's and Mac's i've never run virus scanners, they slow down your computer and cost money, i just browse in firefox with adblock plus to get rid of all the crap on pages, and i don't go surfing on malwaregotme.com or press OK to random popups'. Virus scanners can't always get everything out, and your system usualy crawls along afterwards if you try to "fix it" .... just keep an up to date image of your system on a DL DVD RW and flash it if you run into trouble, this applies to mac and pc and usualy entails way less work and time then active malware and virus protection.
Most MAC users would probably just scoff at this, point their nose higher, and tell it to open anyway in lieu of their immunity to such things.
There's no malware for macs. At least, that's what Apple says.
No matter how you spin it; this is Apple ADMITTING that they are vulnerable. All of us in the business already knew this and OWN2PWN has already proved it. Now I wonder if they will pull the commercial that IMPLIES MACs dont get viruses.
It always amuses me how defensive you guys get whenever there is a mac piece. You actually care that Apple is a popular company, makes money, makes software many people enjoy using, and makes hardware many people like and most other manufacturers try to copy. It bothers you! You guys are so funny...
I bet somebody somewhere is going to think Apple is challenging them. Somebody will accept the challenge.
It always amuses me how defensive you guys get whenever there is a mac piece. You actually care that Apple is a popular company, makes money, makes software many people enjoy using, and makes hardware many people like and most other manufacturers try to copy. It bothers you! You guys are so funny...
What bothers me is that this company has build a brand on lies, but mindless ad zombies just devour their false adds and shiny products. But most of all I hate Apple users, just like I hate Raiders fans. Neither can STFU about either.
It was on Apples website for years that users should use at least two anti-virus's, until some journalist made a huge seen of it a year or so ago so they took it off.
Apple never said macs can't get viruses, they said that they don't get viruses, which it completely true