Malware Infects One In Five Mac Devices: REPORT

Following numerous reports on Mac malware like the Flashback and Sabpab trojans, new research released by computer security firm Sophos gives Mac users yet another reason why they should outfit their devices with anti-virus software as soon as possible.

According to Sophos, one in five Macs currently harbor malware made for Windows. While not necessarily harmful to Macs -- unless, that is, a user is running Windows on his or her device -- this type of malware can still be easily spread to other computers.

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In their analysis of 100,000 Macs running free anti-virus software, Sophos researchers also found that one in 36, or 2.7 percent, of Macs are carrying Mac OS X malware.

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As senior Sophos technology consultant Graham Cluley points out, fake anti-virus attacks and the infamous Flashback trojan (dubbed "Flshplyr" on Sophos' chart) are what most affect Mac computers. Mac malware can travel quickly from device to device through USB drives, emails, website downloads, or even through "a silent drive-by installation where the user doesn't realise their Mac's security has been subverted," writes Cluley.

The Mac Flashback trojan made headlines in early April after Russian IT-security solutions vendor Dr. Web reported that it had spread to hundreds of thousands of Mac machines. At its peak, the malware hit 600,000 Macs.

A newer piece of Mac malware, the Sabpab trojan, did not appear on Sophos' top Mac malware chart, though it still could be a cause for worry. According to an earlier report written by Cluley, a version of Sabpab is spreading via "malformed Word documents" rather than Java vulnerabilities, which means Apple's recent Java update won't protect Macs from all malicious files.

Internet security firm Trend Micro recently published another report that shows Apple leading all other OS and software vendors in number of security vulnerabilities.

So what can you do to protect your Mac? Keep your software updated and download antivirus software approved for Apple devices. As Cluley warns, "Mac users must protect their computers now or risk making the malware problem on Macs as big as the problem on PCs."

Have you equipped your Mac with malware protection? What are your best Mac security tips? Share them with us below!

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Comments

[mrkr]

09:51 AM on 04/26/2012

Bullsh!t title. pretty irresponsible.

[Morgantheaxe]

09:25 AM on 04/26/2012

10 percent of users haven't needed anti virus software. Can't have that can we now. What are the chances that the hackers work for anti virus producing companies??

[Midnight Son]

02:13 PM on 04/26/2012

Sophos provides their AV software to home users for free. You Cultists are a trip.

[Anarchy4hire]

05:55 PM on 04/25/2012

uh oh...let the hipster's denial begin

[Lonnie DeVorak]

05:06 PM on 04/25/2012

"Malware Infects One In Five Mac Devices", Imagine that!

[Dryw Jones]

06:44 PM on 04/25/2012

The quote is "One in five macs currently harbor malware made for Windows" - did you actually read the article or just search for something that you could take out of context and quote to pander to your anti macintosh sensibilities? Clearly macs aren't immune to malware (or viruses) but the apparent joy some people take in hearing that there is a new trojan or some other form of malware designed for the operating system is just ridiculous. Is your life so empty that you need to fill it with hate toward an operating system that is different than yours? Is different so terrible to you? I just don't get it - I currently have OSX, Window 7, Windows XP, Windows 8, Chrome and Ubuntu running with Parallels (except for OSX of course) and I see the pros and cons of each OS - but that's just me not being a hater I guess.

[Lonnie DeVorak]

07:12 PM on 04/25/2012

Oh, U so awesome.

[ToeCurlz]

11:42 PM on 04/25/2012

All I can say 114 to 9... and, BTW, the joy is seeing naive smugness smeared by reality... Apple makes good, well designed, forced-labor products but they sure as HELL don't deserve the premium they demand... yawwwwnnnnn... attack away... reality bites... again.

[nirvana101]

09:09 AM on 04/25/2012

If Mac owners would just stop using Microsoft programs such as Word, they would be a lot better off. Turn on your firewalls in System Preferences, and do not download things from emails if you do not know who they are from. Remember these internet security companies that are harping about all these viruses and trojan horses are trying to sell you their software. This is really something Apple should be doing, having this software built into the system and constantly updating it as the need arises. Afterall, they know their operating system best.

[Midnight Son]

10:31 AM on 04/25/2012

Sophos is free. Next.

[FiredUpRTG]

06:58 AM on 04/25/2012

Best security tips: use a Mac with the least intrusive virus protection application and never use Windows on the Mac, and to protect Windows users, don't share files to them.

This article announces what people have known for 25 years: that Macs can harmlessly store malware and the only time PCs are in danger is when sharing with that Mac.

Re-hashed article; the malware obsession among the news media will wane once the next bird flu story trends.

That'll be a good thing, for the misleading headlines and hysterical reporting about security companies who make money by spreading fear is getting tiring.

Not to mention the Mac v PC arguments that it brings.

Maybe this site can start writing articles about music, so that commenters can post "Disco Suc ks" an "Rock Rules". It'll be just as valuable.

Let's grow up and live by the motto: different strokes for different folks.

[Midnight Son]

10:35 AM on 04/25/2012

If Symantec was hyping this while advertising their software, that would be one thing. Sophos makes AV for the Mac for free. So, no, this isn't your typical "let's sell fear for profit" situation. Rather, after some very successful malware attacks on OS X, a software company pointed out that Windows malware on Macs was a problem as well. Is it a problem for the user of a Mac? No, not if they are selfish. But, given how many people are prone to the dumbest of social engineering tricks (for example, a chain e-mail with a tampered PDF in the attachment), Mac users still end up spreading malware via that route to people who can be harmed by it. If they were using an AV software, this would no longer be as much of a problem. So, what's the harm in taking a step to ensure you don't get exploited to the expense of others?

[Max Sevilla]

03:14 AM on 04/25/2012

the fact that almost three percent are infected with malware that infects Macs. And that number will continue to rise, and is only based on folks smart enough to install Sophos or something similar on their Mac, which is a tiny minority of users.

[iZombo]

11:40 PM on 04/24/2012

What's the big deal? Download Sophos for free and don't worry so much. Webroot antivirus on my windows pc as well, no worries. Mac users sitting back waiting for the inevitable remind me if those who await a hurricane without boarded windows and sandbags.

[MojoWorking]

11:37 PM on 04/24/2012

ClamXav is a decent scanner - free for personal use. I scan my mac once or twice a month. No need to freak out. The one big thing you can do whether you are a mac or windows user is to NOT have your main account setup as and admin. Running as a limited user highly reduces programs (viruses etc.) being able to install themselves.

[Aerobat]

09:46 PM on 04/24/2012

Let's put things in perspective:

There are over one million Windows viruses. That's more virus types than the number of Macs that have been in contact with a Mac targeted virus.

Even at the largest exaggeration, there are 700,000 Macs that have a Mac virus on them. But that doesn't actually mean they are infected. Mac software updates stop most of the viruses from being able to propagate. So, while the virus might be "in" an Email, or a file, it can't install.

Analogy:
In a world pandemic of computer viruses, using an Mac with current updates is like walking around in a Hazmat Suit ... while using a PC with anti-virus software is like wearing a cotton mask.

And by the way, if All PC users were to keep their Windows O/S up to date and keep their browsers and programs up to date, they wouldn't have nearly as many infections as they do.

Much of it comes down to good "Computer Hygiene" and ... well ... there's a reason why Mac user's like white and silver machines. (That should get some snarky remarks!)

[i3lackops]

03:04 PM on 04/25/2012

Its obvious from your comment that you as a mac user are a superior being.

People who write viruses try to infect as many computers as possible. Macs dont have as many users as PC's, but as the number of Mac users grows, so will the number of viruses. Eventually Macs will become just as problematic as Windows. No security system is foolproof.

[Etropalld]

06:35 PM on 04/25/2012

Your "perspective" leaves out the fact that Windows has 90% market share.

[Aerobat]

07:09 PM on 04/25/2012

And what's wrong with being in the top tenth percentile? :-)

[dpcemker]

08:37 PM on 04/24/2012

My ipad among them... funny part is that when I showed to the apple Guy at the store today he was totally out of his comfort zone.

[nikmolnar]

08:33 PM on 04/24/2012

I recently decided to give Avira for Mac a go. On it's first scan, it found a slew (~40k) of Windows viruses. Every single one was attached to various emails in my Junk folder (I don't empty it very often). Not much risk to my computer or others, since I'm not in the habit of forwarding Junk mail to people. Still interesting though; I hadn't thought of all the Windows virus sitting on my drive attached to spam.

[belldn3]

08:07 PM on 04/24/2012

Apple sucks!

[Post31]

07:47 PM on 04/24/2012

That's your bad if you own a pc. I refuse to buy protection to make sure your computer is safe.

[J5K]

08:00 PM on 04/24/2012

Did you totally gloss over the segment on malware that infects Macs? You should buy protection to keep your own device safe, whether it runs Windows or OSX. For your own protection. Daft much?

[Post31]

01:58 PM on 04/25/2012

Mac will update my OS and protect me just by updates. No need for extra protection when they do such a good job caring about their product and my happiness.

[userlarry]

12:13 AM on 04/25/2012

A well-reasoned and valuable comment.

[jenniferkizzy]

07:17 PM on 04/24/2012

once again do not respond bye