Gang targets users with Mac Defender

Recent attacks ("exploits") against Macintosh are still being discussed. The headline of this Guardian newspaper online article caught my eye.

Some of the comments below the article are interesting, too (although not everything said is helpful).

The advice to disable automatic file opening (i.e., of downloaded picture, program, or other such files) is probably useful. After years of not bothering, I have just done that on my machine. (Exchanging one minor nuisance for another.) Because the actual risk is fairly low, I may change back if having it off is too annoying.

Also, consider enabling _block pop-up windows_ in the Safari menu. Occasionally a legitimate web site may want to open a pop-up, but you'll be prompted if needed.

To make clear: For many years, Windows has been attacked by various kinds of nefarious stuff that arrived and acted without the user's knowing it. This is not like that. The Macintosh victim knows that something is up--perhaps not exactly what--and the exploit must be permitted at more than one point before it can do any actual damage.

Sadly, this situation could change; for now practice relaxed vigilance.


Sophos note: I installed it--and immediately uninstalled it (using their provided uninstaller); it is intended to be running at all times, in background, instead of a being run and quit as needed--an approach widely considered to be at least mildly bothersome if not actively bad. Note that once uninstalled it's completely gone--nothing remains on the hard drive; one cannot retain it in reserve just in case. Instead, retain their web site link for access to the latest version should trouble be suspected. Unlike other 'ware being discussed, this one is probably as real as everybody says it is; it's just that many of us don't like their particular approach to protection.