Apple Releases Update to Take Care of Flashback Malware

By Jane McEntegart
published

A Java update to cleanse your computer of that nasty Flashback business.

Apple has released a Java update for Macs infected with the Flashback Malware that has infected hundreds of thousands of Apple computers. The news comes hot on the heels of Kaspersky's recall of its own Flashback removal tool, which the company said contained a bug that could cause issues for some users.

Apple said in a statement today that the update would remove the most common variants of the Flashback malware as well as configuring Java to disable the automatic execution of Java applets.

"Users may re-enable automatic execution of Java applets using the Java Preferences application," Apple said via its support pages. "If the Java web plug-in detects that no applets have been run for an extended period of time it will again disable Java applets," the company continued adding that the update was recommended for all Mac users with Java installed.

News of the Flashback botnet first emerged last week, after Russian antivirus company Dr. Web claimed that more that 600,000 Macs -- most of which were located in the States and Canada -- were infected with a trojan horse virus called "Flashback," or rather, "BackDoor.Flashback.39." Dr. Web's report said that 56.6-percent of the infected computers were in the United States (303,449 infected hosts), and 19.8-percent reside in Canada (106,379 infected hosts). The United Kingdom follows with 12.8-percent and Australia with 6.1-percent. Other infected Macs reside in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil and many more countries.

Kaspersky released a removal tool for the virus earlier this week but it was later recalled after a bug in the software was discovered.

"In some cases it is possible that the use of the tool could result in erroneous removal of certain user settings including auto-start configurations, user configurations in browsers, and file sharing data, the company said in an email sent to Tom's on Thursday, adding "The Kaspersky Flashfake Removal Tool has been temporarily suspended."

The company was planning to release an updated version of the utility with the bug corrected but the official fix from Apple is now available from its website. Hit up the link to get started.

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Jane McEntegart
32 Comments Comment from the forums
  • memadmax
    "Over 600,000 macs were infected"

    So, that pretty much means all of them right?

    ROFL
    Reply
  • tempelife
    I thought Macs didn't get viruses. ***cough/sarcasm***
    Reply
  • generalclean
    You are naive to think there are only 600,000 macs in the world. I know you are joking but come on, get a life. So what if you don't like Macs. Have you ever even used one?

    I've used Windows, Macs and Linux. They all have there place in this world. Grow up and get used to change. I'm just sick and tired of all these Mac bashing going on. I like Windows better then Macs as Windows is the main stream and is a cheaper OS, but Macs are good to.
    Reply
  • generalclean
    tempelifeI thought Macs didn't get viruses. ***cough/sarcasm***
    You thought wrong. And you need to keep in the know. They always could. Just Windows is an easier target as it's the mainstream.
    Reply
  • freggo
    I'm surprised nobody has come up with an iPhone trojan that calls a $1.99/minute number in Siberia.
    With millions of those bricks out there one should be able to clean up nicely :-)
    Reply
  • DroKing
    @gene

    We would'nt be bashing Macs as much if They stopped acting like their products are the BEST and are A MUST HAVE when they arent. along with users denying that MACs can get infested. The day those cease is the day I just might show Crapple products an oz of respect meanwhile I'm gonna poke funnies at them on daily basis.
    Reply
  • JamesSneed
    How many times have I heard Macs don't get malware/ viruses / trojans? Got to love the irony of that self-defeating prophecy.
    Reply
  • Murissokah
    generalcleanYou are naive to think there are only 600,000 macs in the world. I know you are joking but come on, get a life. So what if you don't like Macs...
    Somebody can't take a joke...

    generalcleanThey all have there place in this world.
    Apply grammar hammer here.

    Reply
  • generalclean
    DroKing@geneWe would'nt be bashing Macs as much if They stopped acting like their products are the BEST and are A MUST HAVE when they arent. along with users denying that MACs can get infested. The day those cease is the day I just might show Crapple products an oz of respect meanwhile I'm gonna poke funnies at them on daily basis.
    But doesn't Microsoft do this too? Microsoft is doing this to Google right now. Microsoft has always been up against Mac.

    Any user that says that Macs can't get infected are naive and deserve to get infected.

    Both systems have there good points and bad points. Lets just all get along.
    Reply
  • generalclean
    MurissokahSomebody can't take a joke...Apply grammar hammer here.
    Sorry for my misspelling. It should of been their, as it's showing ownership. Now how many times have you misspelled something on the net? A lot like everyone else. Excuse me for making a human error.
    Reply