Apple opens up about Mac Defender malware infections

Apple has issued a user advice document on dealing with the growing problem of Mac Defender scareware infections.

The company has posted a Mac Defender security document on how to deal with the malware, which uses a JavaScript install to promote fake anti-virus software on a target's computer. The software also flashes pornography onto infected systems.

Apple forums have been buzzing with comments about the problem, but the company has until now remained silent on this issue.

"In the coming days, Apple will deliver a Mac OS X software update that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants," the firm said.

"The update will also help protect users by providing an explicit warning if they download this malware."

The posting is a rare acknowledgement by Apple that Mac OS suffers from malware problems. The company savaged Microsoft for similar problems in a famous advertising campaign, and security experts have criticised Mac users for being complacent about security.

"This feeling of invincibility is beginning to change as public attacks (such as the new Mac Protector scareware program) begin to show up," Charles Kolodgy, research vice president of secure products at IDC, told V3.co.uk.

"Everything I've read says that the clean-up from such an attack is effective, but I'm sure this will be just the first potentially unwanted program on the scene and the next one might be more obtuse in what it does."