Proof-Of-Concept Virus Affects Mac OS X Platforms

On November 3 2006, the security company Symantec elaborated a newfangled "proof-of-concept" malware that has emerged for the operating system of Macintosh Mac OS X. Though the virus is not in the wild and is ranked as a small threat, investigators allege it reveals the reality that none of the operating system is resistant to viruses.

Referred as OS X/Macarena, the malicious code copies itself but doesn't include a virus. When applied, it affects executing files in any folder an end user is operating at that moment, said Peter Ferrie, Symantec's senior anti-virus researcher, in a review.

Symantec has been anticipating for quite some time now that virus writers would progressively devote their mind to the Mac OS and that Macs were turning into an alluring prey for cyber-terrorists.

Swa Frantzen the Section 66 security consultant in his article for The SANS Institute (a source for data security training and certification), said, "to be frank, the virus isn't a major concern by itself. However, it is another caution for the concerned persons.

"As we had said earlier, the power to have viruses and various other malicious codes is innately there in every advanced operating system, like Linux, BSD, Mac," appended Frantzen.

"It is a caution to acquire anti-virus security for all Macs, ignore if the shopkeeper advise you against it, go for it even though there are no malware in the wild nowadays and purchase it even if it is difficult to purchase it."

The virus infects both customer and server versions of Mac OS X right from 10.0.0 to 10.4.8; the last one is the newest version of the operating system of Apple.

In February, specialists detected what is considered to be the initial virus masterminded to strike the Mac OS X. The virus, called Leap-A, circulates through the iChat direct messaging system.
Apple has long touted the security of its operating system as a key advantage over Windows, which has seen a constant bombardment of viruses and other malware for years. Although such proof-of-concept viruses have appeared in the past, Macs have been spared from actual real world attacks.

Apple has for long boasted the safety of its operating system as a major improvement over Windows, which has witnessed a steady attack of computer virus and new malware for a long time. Though such proof-of-concept viruses have emerged earlier, Macs have been secure from real global strikes.

Related article: Proof-of Concept Worm Infects Windows, Mac and Linux

» SPAMfighter News - 11/8/2006