Sophos Identified Porn Site Malware Targeting Mac Users

An online security company 'Sophos' has asked Mac users, particularly those who visit porn websites, to remain cautious of booby-trapped websites. The security company has come across two new malware attacks that target Mac users few days back. These malware are OSX/Jahlav-C and OSX/Tored-Fam, a new variant of the Tored family of malware.

Sophos security experts state that OSX/Jahlav-C attracts Mac users with a porn site and shows a pop-up message that indicates to the installation of Video ActiveX Object. Users who follow the instruction appeared in the message end-up with infection in their computers.

Moreover, Windows users are equally vulnerable to the malware attack. Graham Cluley, Senior Technology Consultant, Sophos, said that the identification of visitor's operating system (whether the web browser is running on Mac OS X or Windows) is done by the booby-trapped websites and then a specifically designed malware is planted in the system, as reported by Informationweek on June 12, 2009.

Another worm called OSX/Tored-Fam comes with message "RESPECT about what are you talking about me (cybercriminal..) Don't say what you ignore!!!!!!!!" The worm belongs to a family of worms and translates into the worm for Mac OS X. Others members of OSX/Tored-Fam are coded in RealBasic and contain strings like "Infected and boted by OSX.Raedbot".

Sophos has also highlighted the fact that cyber criminals are increasingly using social-engineering tricks to take over Mac systems. Taking permission from users regarding the installation of video-plug-in to view the video clip has become a common practice to infect systems.

Besides, malware attacks against Macintosh platform is not a new trend, but the frequency of assaults used to be less common as compared to attacks on windows. Apple and its fans have been emphasizing on this benefit for a ling time.

Although the volume of malware targeting Mac is comparatively low from Windows viruses and new attack vectors are flourishing, many Mac users still consider themselves magically immune to these attacks.

According to another security company 'Trend Micro', these two malware attacks have become more than two weeks old. Now it is cleared that Apple Mac users should acknowledge the risks associated with them. A conscious user who ascertains the authenticity of websites and software downloads can keep himself well protected.

Related article: Spike in Attacks Causes Early Release of Windows Patch

» SPAMfighter News - 6/23/2009