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17 Oct 2008
A new rogue security application for the Mac could be on the way, according to one industry executive.
Sunbelt Software chief executive Alex Eckelberry revealed that researchers at his company had uncovered a web site advertising a product known as 'MacGuard'.
The product claims to offer spyware and antivirus protection, as well as the ability to remove adware and block phishing attacks on OS X systems.
No downloadable software has been found on the site, but Eckelberry is urging users to remain vigilant.
The group believed to be behind the site also distributes 'Antivirus XP 2008' and 'XP Antivirus', a pair of rogue Windows security applications which Eckelberry classified as "really horrific".
Both applications have been known to use exploits to install themselves without consent and send fake alert messages designed to scare victims into paying for non-existent security protection.
If the MacGuard application does turn out to be a rogue security attack, it will mark another incident in a small but growing crop of Mac malware releases.
Almost non-existent two years ago, a handful of Mac malware samples have emerged in the past 12 months, starting with a fake codec attack in November and continuing with a bogus security scam in January and a pair of data-stealing Trojans found this summer.
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Do you agree?
'Expert' Thinks Mac Owners Are Mugs
There's a good reason the US Intelligence Community will only use Mac OS X - it can't be hacked, there aren't any nasties and it can use DoD military-grade encryption. Nobody using a Mac needs anti-virus software except to scan for Windows viruses/trojans/worms/spyware/malware. No wonder so many people are moving to OS X. This so-called 'expert' obviously thinks Mac owners are fools if he believes he can terrify us with the never-ending nightmare that poor old Windows users have suffered for years. Don't buy this guy's products - he's a panic merchant out to make a few quid out of unnecessary fear. Peddle your software elsewhere, mister.
Posted by: Steve Arkwright 23 Oct 2008
Clarification
Sunbelt Software does not make a Mac security product. For further thoughts on this, see our Mac Inspector blog: http://www.macinspector.com/2008/10/more-thoughts-o.html
Posted by: Shaun Nichols 23 Oct 2008
Nice Advertisement! Mac Virus sales must be horrible!
The only "Attacks" for Mac OS X are done BY companies selling antivirus software. Since there has NEVER been a single one in the wild, EVER, for Mac OS X... It must be awfully tough to sell security software to a market which is immune to attacks... Surprisingly some actually believe this nonsense. I should make a program which does NOTHING and "say" it's OS X security - since there are no actual virus, trojan, attacks found in the wild.... it wouldn't need to DO anything.... Then scare people... If I decide to, I'll expect you to advertise for me, in the guise of an "Article" informing people of the "news".
Posted by: Eganicus Maximus 19 Oct 2008
Oh Really?
Hmm. A company that sells "Antispyware, Antivirus, Anti-Malware and Email Security software for Home, SMB and Enterprise" claiming they have "discovered" an announcement for a piece of malware for the Mac that "may" be on the way, but isn't available. I think that fits Gertrude Stein's statement, "There is no there, there." This "may" be just another piece of FUD from a company trying to terrorize Mac users into buying unneeded software they just happen to sell. No, the Mac is not invulnerable. But right now there is NO malware for the Mac in the wild and this claim that maybe there will be some in the future with its implied "buy our software" is just laughable. According to an article in PC World, by the end of this year there will be a million(!) pieces of malware for Windows-based computers by the end of the year. You should focus your sales efforts where they're needed and not attempt to terrorize others. Mac users should be vigilant, not worried, and they have no need to waste money by buying this company's software.
Posted by: Don 17 Oct 2008
This guy's an expert? And you, a journalist?
Sunbelt Software chief executive Alex Eckelberry and you are both complete morons. Him for "finding" this obvious garbage from Latvia (the home of all good Mac software). And you for printing this obvious puff piece (was it sent directly from Alex's fax machine)?
Posted by: realitybites 17 Oct 2008