More Malware Attacks to Strike Mac Computers in 2009

According to a study report entitled "Annual Threat Roundup and 2009 Forecast" from security firm Trend Micro, Mac users would face increasing number of malware attacks this year (2009).

The report states that the growing popularity of Mac computers along with their rising market share make them attractive. Consequently, an increasing number of cyber criminals are targeting Mac systems across the world.

The company cited some recent incidences of malware attacks aimed at Macs to prove its point. Accordingly, the researchers state that during December 2008, Mac computers were hit with the malicious program identified as OSX_JAHLAV.A arrived through spam mails and pretended to be an application for distribution. However, links embedded in the e-mails diverted users to a website that claimed to have a luring video. Meanwhile, rather than downloading certain codec needed to watch the video, end-users received a malicious program, the researchers recounted.

Further, during November 2008, Trend Micro drew people's attention towards another malware targeted the Mac OS. Identified as OSX_LAMZEV.A, this malware reportedly helped hackers in acquiring control over infected computers.

In addition, Trend Micro's report also states that the rise in malware attacks against Apple's computers is expected to take place during July-December 2009. Since Mac systems are not packaged with antivirus programs as default installations like Windows computers, it will increase the convenience of malware authors.

Thus, the security researchers state that users of Apple's Mac can't allow themselves to remain relaxed about viruses, given the rising number of malware attacking the Mac OS.

Besides, Trend Micro further stated in its study report that the company observed over a twenty-fold rise in web-borne attacks between 2005 and 2008.

In addition, around 115 Billion spam mails are being dispatched daily, an average increase of 75 Billion during 2005-2006. In general, 90% of all spam arrives from hijacked PCs that are mediums of malicious communications with remote controllers.

Hence, Trend Micro advises users to regularly update their security software so that most exploits can be caught as well as to turn off all default settings in OSs or other applications to prevent installation of malware.

» SPAMfighter News - 23-03-2009

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