Flashback: Another day, another trojan
Apple updated OS X’ integrated trojan blocker over the weekend to protect against Trojan Dropper. Now, another trojan, Flashback, has surfaced and this one, whether the irony was intended or not, masquerades as an Adobe Flash Player installer. Again, however, the threat level is believed to be low.
Antivirus software maker Intego has discovered yet another reason you should be buying their antivirus app. Yes, the Flashback trojan has spotted in the wild and a number of unsavory websites, likely the usual porn and/or warez, have been asking visitors to install it.
Of course, if you don’t want to be infected by Flashback, which actually has a malicious payload, don’t install software offered by porn and/or warez websites. In fact, if you must use Flash at all, be sure to only install it from Adobe.
In a bizarre twist, Intego says that if some users do get infected, it’s Apple’s fault. Why? Not because of an inherent flaw in OS X, but because Apple doesn’t ship Flash as part of Lion’s default installation:
Since Mac OS X Lion does not include Flash Player, some users may be fooled and think this is a real installation link.
See also: The end definitely isn’t nigh, new trojan thwarted
From Intego’s perspective, Apple should include insecure/buggy/crash prone Flash because some people might be tricked into installing Flashback, an actual piece of malware, because insecure/buggy/crash prone Flash is not part of OS X’ default install (stunned silence).
Well, I guess that’s one way to sell more antivirus software…
What’s your take?
via Macworld UK
Related Posts:
