Security firm McAfee has unveiled antivirus support for Intel-based Apple Macs, after claiming that the computers are an "open target" for malware.

McAfee VirusScan for Mactel 8.0 runs under Apple's Rosetta emulator to help protect users from Macintosh and Windows-based viruses, Trojans and other malicious threats.

Just last week, McAfee's Avert Labs released a report which revealed that Macintosh platform vulnerabilities increased more than 228 per cent since 2003 due to the rising popularity of Apple's consumer products.

While the Mac OS X operating system still remains safer than Windows-based platforms, the rapid growth in critical vulnerabilities requires a more proactive approach to system security, especially in heterogeneous work environments, the company said.

"The availability of Mac exploit code on the internet makes it an open target for the same types of malware currently plaguing the Windows world," said Eric Winsborrow, vice president of product marketing at McAfee.

"As more companies deploy Mac systems running on the Intel platform in mixed environments, the risk of infection will most likely increase.

"With McAfee VirusScan for Mactel, administrators can deploy systems on the new Mac Intel platform with the assurance that they are steps ahead of future security threats."