Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Pro Hackers Take Bite At Apple

'Zlob gang' launches malware Mac attacks

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 5, 2007 10:57 PM CST

(Newser) – Apple computer users are being threatened by malicious hackers, according to computer security experts. The Financial Times reports security researchers have discovered an increase in the number of malicious programs in recent months that are specifically designed to attack Apple computers. The threat puts a question mark on Apple's reputation for safety.

The attacks against Macs appear to be the work of a single gang of professional hackers known as the "Zlob gang," and don't target security holes; instead, they're designed to trick users into installing the malware. "Over the past two years, we have found one or two pieces of malware targeting Macs," said Patrik Runald, a researcher for the security firm F-Secure. "Since October, we've found 100-150."

The new Apple iMac sits on display at Apple headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 in Cupertino, Calif. Apple Inc. Computer security experts say there has been a huge increase in hacker attacks on Apple... (Associated Press)

Hundreds of customers visited Apple's only 24-hour store to buy iPods, iPhones and Macintosh computers as the traditional holiday shopping season got underway. Computer security experts say there has... (Associated Press)

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers, speaks at a news conference where Apple unveiled a new line of iMac desktop computers, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 in Cupertino, Calif. Computer security experts say there... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Latest Threat to Hit Macs: 'Sabpab' Trojan

Malware spreading through dodgy Word document

(NEWSER) - With popularity comes some nasty bugs for the unwary: A Trojan known as "Sabpab" is the latest piece of malware infesting Macs, according to security firm Sophos. The malware is spreading through a weakness in Java and through an infected Word document purporting to be a statement from the Dalai Lama, reports MSNBC . Like others of its kind, Sabpab enables hackers to steal personal information and send remote commands to computers. More»

Trojan Virus Has Infected 600K Macs, Firm Claims

Virus may allow hackers to create 'botnet' from infected machines

(NEWSER) - Are you a smug Mac user who assumes you can't possibly get a virus? Well, think again. A Russian anti-virus firm believes that about 600,000 Macs around the world have been infected with the Flashback Trojan virus—and about half of those are expected to be in the US. The virus may allow cybercriminals to take over infected computers en masse and use them as a "botnet," the BBC reports. More»

Is India Spying on US With Help From RIM, Apple?

Leaked memo from India’s Military Intelligence suggests so

(NEWSER) - An internal memo from India’s Military Intelligence posted online by hackers contains some disturbing allegations: It claims RIM, Nokia, and Apple provided the Indian government with backdoor access to their mobile devices in exchange for "Indian market presence." The story was initially picked up by Manan Kakkar, an Indian blogger for ZDNet , and cybersecurity researcher Christopher Soghoian . The document can be viewed here . More»

Apple Boots Developer Who Exposed Security Hole

Finding App Store bug costs Charlie Miller his license

(NEWSER) - Security guru Charlie Miller found himself kicked out of Apple's developer program just hours after he announced that he had found a major security flaw. Miller discovered a hole that allows iPhone and iPad applications to grab potentially malicious code from third-party servers even after they have been approved and gone live on the App Store, Forbes reports. More»

Apple's iOS Harbors Security Flaw, Germany Warns

Opening infected PDFs could install malware

(NEWSER) - IPads, iPhones, and iPods are all vulnerable to “critical weaknesses” that could “allow possible attackers to gain administrator rights and get access to the entire system,” Germany’s IT security agency warned today. Clicking on an infected PDF could allow attackers to install malware without your knowledge, which would then allow them to spy on passwords, read your email, or even listen to your phone calls, the federal agency warned. Apple says it's aware of the issue and is working on a fix. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Pro Hackers Take Bite At Apple

'Zlob gang' launches malware Mac attacks

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Mac Attack

Apple • virus • hackers • malware • F Secure • Zlob gang • Endpoint technologies

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Latest Threat to Hit Macs: 'Sabpab' Trojan

Malware spreading through dodgy Word document

Trojan Virus Has Infected 600K Macs, Firm Claims

Virus may allow hackers to create 'botnet' from infected machines

Is India Spying on US With Help From RIM, Apple?

Leaked memo from India’s Military Intelligence suggests so

Apple Boots Developer Who Exposed Security Hole

Finding App Store bug costs Charlie Miller his license

Apple's iOS Harbors Security Flaw, Germany Warns

Opening infected PDFs could install malware

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?