Boonana Trojan Infects Mac OS X By Proliferating Through Social Networks

According to SecureMac, a fresh Trojan called Boonana is circulating across the Web impacting Mac OS X including its latest version Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6). The Trojan, trojan.osx.boonana.a reportedly proliferates via social-networking websites like Facebook, and e-mails pretending to be a video.

Says SecureMac, Boonana has certain degree of risk. Currently it's arriving through a web-link inside messages captioned, "Is this you in this video?" on websites for social networking.

Anybody who clicks the web-link gets the Trojan to first execute itself in the form of a Java applet that pulls down other files from the Net onto his PC. One of these files is an installer that runs without any intervention. And once run it alters system files thereby evading the requirement to enter passwords, while letting the remote attacker gain access and control over the computer.

Moreover, the Trojan remains hidden while doing its malicious tasks like continually transmitting details of the victim's PC to a remote computer server as also promoting itself via the user's e-mail account along with the social networks he focuses on.

Besides, Boonana from time-to-time links up with remotely operating command-control servers for informing the details about the contaminated machine. And whilst active, it compromises the accounts of users for self-replication through the means of spam mails.

Says security researcher Nicholas Ptacek at SecureMac, the Trojan somberly brings to mind that computer attackers are targeting Mac OS X while the market-share of Apple increases. Therefore, users must remain watchful about safeguarding their PCs as also taking safety measures while using the Web, he cautions. HELP NET SECURITY published this on October 27, 2010.

Meanwhile, to browse the Web safely, SecureMac suggests that users should disable Java inside their browsers. Moreover, they shouldn't click web-links or reply to e-mails that unfamiliar sources may send, while erase all e-mails that solicit personal information. Besides, users mustn't ever feed personal information into windows popping up on their screens unless they relate to a genuine business. Lastly, they must keep both operating system and anti-virus software installed on their PCs up-to-date for defense against malware threats like Boonana.

Related article: Bank Issues Spam Alerts

» SPAMfighter News - 11/4/2010