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Experts: Apple's First Worm Nothing to Fret About

'Groundbreaking' Mac virus only affects a few thousand users

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2009 7:06 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Malware that hijacks Macs has shown up for the first time, but it shouldn't be cause for panic, an expert tells the Globe & Mail. The malware, nicknamed iBotNet, only affects a few thousand users who downloaded a pirated copy of iWork and it's not spreading from computer to computer, according to the chief of security giant Symantec.

Macs have tended to be virus-free in the past because the relatively small number of users makes the effort of authoring malware ineffective, but a surge in Apple users has been paired with a rise in malware. "Platform-agnostic" viruses have made it onto security experts' radar for some time, but iBotNet is thought to be the first specifically aimed at creating zombie Macs.

Security experts say Mac users' days of not worrying about viruses are at an end.
Security experts say Mac users' days of not worrying about viruses are at an end.   (©KATHRYN....)
The iBotNet worm is believed to affect only a few thousand users.
The iBotNet worm is believed to affect only a few thousand users.   (©Adri? garc?a)
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This is the first one we're aware of that's Mac-only. We think it's the first pure one, if you will.
- Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
drlarrymitchell
Apr 25, 2009 1:47 AM CDT
I've used Apple, and I've used PC. There are plusses to both, as there are drawbacks. It comes down to price, personal prefence, and what you're going to use it for. If you want program selection, Apple would not be a wise choice. The interface is different than Windows, and while Windows- especially that PIECE OF SHIT Vista OS- has its idiosyncrasies, the number of users it has virtually guarantees that each problem will have a solution. 2-bits had it right though- The real vulnerability is the user.
freethemall
Apr 23, 2009 5:48 AM CDT
Every time I note some one having used "there", when they should have used they're, I think: "How Ignorant!". It's disconcerting to see I've made the same mistake.
freethemall
Apr 23, 2009 5:24 AM CDT
I'm a Mac user. I would advise all you PC users not to switch to Mac. There way more expensive, it's hard to find soft ware for them, there's no right click. You're much better of staying with PC's.

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Apple • Macintosh • Symantec • Trojan viruses • malware • botnet • iBotNet

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