PSA: Mac malware in trojanned freeware apps

[unixronin]

"Security researchers at antivirus vendor Intego have discovered spyware attached to freely downloadable Mac applications. The malware is difficult to detect."

Via SecurityWire.

Comments

[luke-jaywalker.livejournal.com]

I thought Apple's *main* argument for regulating, restricting (and taking a cut from) every iPhone/iPad application was security, that vetted applications would be totally safe?

[docstrange.livejournal.com]

Pretty sure these are OS X freeware apps on third-party sites. The malware is more or less just plain old "click to install" spyware. Sad but there it is.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I have this historic bridge ......

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Ah, the Reg article below says the apps download and install the spyware during their own installation process.

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

yes. And the Mac isn't part of that walled garden. If anything, this will probably encourage Apple's walled garden mindset, not undermine it.

[hrrunka]

Also http://isc.incidents.org/diary.html?storyid=8890 and http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/01/mac_spyware/