Steer Clear of Fake 'MAC Defender' Antivirus App

Softpedia News

Description

Steer Clear of Fake 'MAC Defender' Antivirus App

Sujets

• Arts

Informations

• Publié par: onytodor
• Nombre de lectures: 56
• Langue: Français

Extrait

3 May 2011

Intego demonstrates

MAC Defender fake

antivirus

Intego

By: Filip Truta, Apple News Editor

Steer Clear of Fake 'MAC Defender' Antivirus App

A fake antivirus program targeting Mac users has been discovered by users of the Apple

Support Communities and then detailed by security firm

Intego

who classifies the find as

low-risk malware.

MAC Defender reportedly targets Mac users via SEO poisoning attacks.

If downloaded through Safari, users may end up installing what the browser will regard as

'safe' files.

Intego

warns

that "If the user continues through the installation process, and enters an

administrator's password, the software will be installed."

The security firm also signals that the application is very well designed, and has a polished,

pro-level look and feel.

"There are a number of different screens, and the grammar and spelling are correct, the

buttons are attractive, and the overall look and feel of the program give it a professional

look."

"It will occasionally display alerts, telling users that viruses are found," Intego outlines.

The fake alerts are tasked with convincing users that they need to buy a license. Once they

hit the Register button, users are asked to provide a credit card number via a web page that

is not secure, the Texas company warns.

Intego explains that "the virus warnings presented are bogus, and after paying, they no

longer display, so users think the program has done something useful."

Page 1

Copyright (c) 2001-2011 Softpedia. All rights reserved. Softpedia™ and Softpedia™ logo are registered trademarks of SoftNews NET SRL.