Friday, July 8, 2011

Current Mac Malware, 2011-07:
Introduction

In order to help Mac users understand the current state of malware on the platform, I am providing a review  of each current form. This will not be an exhaustive review, but should help relieve much misunderstanding and concern about the ongoing, many years old, anti-Apple security FUD Fest.

I will be going through the malware in reverse chronological order, featuring the most current concerns first and the oldies but gnarlies last.

The first thing to know is that technically, ALL currently active Mac malware are Trojan horses. That means that they are entirely inert until such time as a user (or 'LUSER', in cynical terminology) inadvertently installs them.

I am NOT including any hacker tools or 'legal' spyware in my details articles. These require a third party to be able to physically access your computer and directly install them for their nefarious purposes. You won't personally be in any danger of installing them unless a hacker or IT administrator directs you to do so. They require hackers or administrators to access your computer in order for them to do any harm. I may address these forms of software at another time. I am more concerned about what YOU might mistakenly install.

THE LIST:

1) Trojan.OSX.MACDefender.A - O [15 strains]

2) Trojan.OSX.BlackHoleRAT.A - C [3 strains]

3) Trojan.OSX.Boonana.A

4) Trojan.OSX.OpinionSpy.A - B [2 strains]

5) Trojan.OSX.iServices.A - C [3 strains]

6) Trojan.OSX.PokerStealer.A

7) Trojan.OSX.RSPlug.A - Q [17 strains]

The total number of Mac malware species are 7.
The total number of Mac malware strains are 42.


The 'Malware' Hacker Tools I Am Leaving Out:

'Trojan'.OSX.Lamzev.A

'Trojan'.OSX.Hellraiser.A - D [4 strains]

There are a number of inert malware as well as 'Proof of Concept' malware of no concern which I have also left out of my list. You may find them on other lists but you won't find them infecting anyone with up-to-date computers, apart for test computers in a lab. (A famous example of 'Proof of Concept' malware is Trojan.OSX.Oomp.A, aka Trojan.OSX.Leap.A. It is of no consequence or importance).

If you'd like a list of current 'legal' spyware, I suggest the list kindly provided at the MacScan/SecureMac site.

Note that, due to the lack of adherence to standards within the anti-malware community, there are a lot of name variations for the exact same malware. In the case of the MAC Defender Trojan I discovered 15 different names. I am not including them here in my list as these alternative names are irrelevant and needlessly confusing. What I have listed here are the 'official' names from my point of view as well as those whom I consider to be professional experts and original malware discoverers in the field. However, I will be listing a number of the alternative names in my subsequent articles that provide details about each of the current malware species.

As ever, I request corrections to my information. If I have missed a malware species or strain, please let me know asap. Much appreciated!

Friday, July 1, 2011

World Laughs At China's Blundered Trickery


There are few things as carthartic as a good laugh in the face of deceitful intent.

Just in time to counter 'China Chip-gate', officials of the totalitarian 'communist' nation are caught using blundered Photoshop trickery for a publicity photo. The press is all abuzz about the magical picture where three Huili country officials are miraculously floating inches above the road they are inspecting.

Such is the level of attention to facts and honesty in the current Chinese culture. (0_o)

Joyfully, the ongoing response around the world has been to copy and paste the Huili officials into various other scenarios. Do a search on the terms 'Huili officials' and you'll get a boatload.  Check back often for new configurations. ;-)

Google: Huili officials

Here is an article about the hilarity that includes an incredible number of creative examples:

Floating Chinese Government Officials Inspect New Road

For your own photo trickery pleasure, I have provided rough .PNG images of the three Huili officials, with invisible backgrounds. Just drag them out of the article into your favorite scenario! It's fun. Post your images to the internet and be sure to put 'Huili officials' in the title.

Share and Enjoy,

;-Derek