Apple Adds Malware Blocker to Snow Leopard

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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

Jane McEntegart
35 Comments Comment from the forums
  • dman3k
    And I thought Mac's get NO virus and have NO bugs...
    Reply
  • 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.
    Reply
  • Core2uu
    pitashenDon'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.
    Reply
  • tmike
    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.
    Reply
  • grieve
    Core2uuAnd if OSX had 90%+ of the global desktop marketshare, Microsoft could say the exact same thing.Exactly.
    Reply
  • doc70
    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...
    Reply
  • grieve
    tmikeCertainly 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...
    Reply
  • cadder
    Apple will keep boasting until some virus authors start to take it as a challenge.
    Reply
  • hellwig
    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.
    Reply
  • pharge
    hellwigFirst 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
    Reply