Mac Security Alert for Computer Viruses and Vulnerabilities

Freedom?s not just another word for nothing left to lose. Strong security ensures your ability to conduct your business unhampered. Mac OS X delivers the highest level of security through the adoption of industry standards, open software development and wise architectural decisions. Combined, this intelligent design prevents the swarms of viruses and spy ware that plague PCs these days.

Knowing security is important. Most people are blinded by the word ’security + Mac’ your current security program probably is not secure the way it should be for your office, school, internet, or even home. I hope you learn more from this article then you have ever known about Macintosh security.

The time between the disclosure of vulnerability and the release of an associated exploit was just six days. Half (59 per cent) of vulnerabilities were associated with web application technologies.

Along with computer viruses and vulnerabilities, spam remains a leading security concern. Spam accounted for 61 per cent of all email traffic in the first half of 2005, according to Symantec, with over half (51 per cent) of all junk mail received worldwide originated in the US.
MacScan 2.2 spy ware protection for Mac OS X has been released and is available for download as a free upgrade. This version improves scanning of spy ware, definition updates, improved stability and support for 10.2.

Apple Security Update 2006-004 has been released. To update Mac OS X go to the System Update Controls in the System Preferences and check for updates. Update includes fixes for AFP Server, Bluetooth, Bom, and DHCP; fetch mail, gun zip, Image RAW, ImageIO, Launch Services, OpenSSH, telnet, Web Kit, and App Kit.

Mac OS X Virus Alert – Sophos Anti Virus has found the first ‘real virus’ for Mac OS X known as OSX/Leap-A or OSX/Oomph-A. The OSX/Leap worm or Trojan is spread via instant messenger forwarding itself as a file named ‘latestpics.tgz’. When launched the worm attempts to spread via iChat sending itself to the users buddy list. The application will also try to infect the recently used applications.

Apple QuickTime/iTunes QuickTime.QTS Heap Overflow was addressed by Apple, this issue could allow for malicious code to be executed when processing a malformed .MOV (movie) file. Apple has released updated QuickTime and iTunes. Advisory with example code.

MacScan 2.0 for Mac OS X has been released. MacScan will find, isolate, and remove spy ware, keystroke loggers, and Trojan horses as well as detect whether remote administration applications have been installed on a computer. By scanning files received as e-mail attachments or downloaded from the web, MacScan can proactively protect computers from inadvertently accepting new spy ware. Mac Scan?s spy ware definitions are constantly being updated, letting users keep pace with the hackers.

Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server contain a security hole in Directory Services which allows for escalation of privileges and denial of service attack which is fixed with the 10.2.5 update. Directory Services is part of the operating systems information services subsystem, and is launched at being setuid as root by default.

Mac OS X systems with ‘allow remote login’ enabled in the sharing pane of the system preferences should be disabled until a new release of OpenSSH has been made available from Apple in the security updates. View advisory now a new version of the software is out but not available through the Apple Software Updates.

Protect the info on your Mac from prying eyes with File Vault, which uses the latest government security standard, AES-128 encryption, to safeguard your hard work. It encrypts and decrypts on the fly, so you don?t even know its happening. File Vault protects all the info in your home folder from prying eyes, so your trade secrets stay secret, your holiday shopping lists are kept safe and your personal finance records remain secure.

Welcome to http://www.dvwarehouse.com, a site devoted to Apple Macintosh security and Mac OS X Security! Use the Side Bar to navigate the site, check this page frequently for updates and new security products for the Mac OS!

This page provides links to background information, security vendors, comparative and individual reviews of personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, privacy and suites of software as well as hardware firewalls and anti-theft services to help you protect your Macintosh desktop or laptop computer.

They will constantly update it with the most current programs, news and downloads. If you are a programmer for the Mac, please contact us, we are looking to make a program. Email macmart.com for more information.

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Written by mellow on December 4th, 2006 with no comments.
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Discovering Your Computer’s Spyware Infestation.

Internet users are continually surprised at the numerous spyware infected files they find on their computers once they finally hear the advice to run a spyware tool along with anti-virus and firewall protection. Users have been unfortunately unaware about spyware until recently, when the threats have become more prevalent. A computer can be fully secure against viruses intruding but that software will not protect against spyware because the codes are detected differently.

Spyware tracks, records and sends out your computer usage information and some types can log your personal credit, bank account and social security numbers which can result in identity theft. The most benign type of spyware infects and uses the information it finds to target you with advertisements through email and pop up. More dangerous spyware comes in many forms, such as keyloggers, which can detect and log your usernames, passwords, credit card number, etc.

Cookies are capable of tracking you while visiting nearly any web site. They use the information tracked and other sources to find private information about you. Adware is privacy invasive software that tracks your internet usage, downloads, computer habits and more then uses the information to target product specific ads to your computer.

Your computer has become infected with spyware in one or more of many different ways. Some users allow spyware in along with downloads such as music and game freeware. Emails can have spyware attached to it and upon your approval to download the attachment, spyware is installed in your computer. Hackers can find open port in your computer that they use to install spyware, viruses, etc at their whim. Keyloggers and other malicious spyware applications are installed through downloads or physically, often by employers or spouses.

To protect your privacy and computer it is necessary for internet users to find a program that scan and protects specifically against spyware. Anti-virus and firewalls are also necessary protective software but spyware specific programs are needed due to the high number of spyware threats. Spy Sweeper is a good program to start with when scanning your system. Other highly regarded spyware tools are AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both scan your system for spyware and other similar threats and they also have features to help immunize and actively protect your computer from certain defined threats.

About the Author

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as well as spyware scanner, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm

Written by mellow on December 4th, 2006 with no comments.
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