AVG: Macs Susceptible to Viruses, Too
PrintTwo weeks ago AVG announced its LinkScanner software for the Mac platform designed to keep "Mac users safe from increasing intensity and sophistication of Web attacks." Perhaps the Mac faithful didn't take too kindly to the release, as AVG felt compelled to follow-up the announcement with some sobering statistics for Mac users.
"It’s a well known fact that most computer users believe that owning a Mac means that you are somewhat immune to the malicious threats that lurk within cyberspace," AVG starts out. "In fact, this belief has become so strong that many Mac owners do not have, or feel the need to have, antivirus software installed on their machines.
"However, the times they are a changin’ and 2009 proved a very busy year for security threats to Apple devices including the Mac OSX and iPhone. During last year Mac computers came under attack from the iServices A Trojan, which saw more than 20,000 people download an infected file from a pirate software website."
AVG goes on to say that the iServices B Trojan crippled an additional 5,000 machines, and pointed out that other outbreaks, like the Tored-A and Jahlav-C viruses, also cause their share of headaches in the Apple community.
"Flaws were also discovered in the Safari Web browser, iTunes, and PDF program," AVG continues. "Worse still is the fact that last month reports were issued around an unpatched vulnerability in the Safari 4.0 Web browser! So, it would appear that Macs are no longer as shielded as they once were."
More like this
24
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
Blues22475
July 01, 2010 at 10:47am
I never though once that MAC products (along with anything that isn't Microsoft or Apple) is free of viruses. So long as people continue to try exploits or write viruses for different oses, nothing is safe (less likely sure, but immune to them is impossible).
-----------------------------------------
Ignorance is man's greatest enemy.
WarlordComputers
June 30, 2010 at 10:57am
From this Hackers frame of mind, Why would any hacker write a virus for a virus?
whitneymr
June 30, 2010 at 5:48pm
For the sheer evil fun of listening to them let out a wounded scream at Starbucks when they crash and burn. Maybe someone could write a hack that would install Flash that would be fun!
Your Mother was a hampster and your Father smelled of elderberries. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
Havok
June 29, 2010 at 7:45pm
Wow, 22,5000 some odd Macs affected by malware. That's like, all of them!
YES! This post made it through the Spam Filter!
Engelsstaub
May 27, 2011 at 6:45pm
Too bad there's not a filter for posts that have "numbers" like 22,5000 in them.
YES I'm kidding (and trolling.) I'm not a math whiz either.
gothliciouz
June 29, 2010 at 6:36pm
and to think that i was thinking about getting a mac to solve my problems with viruses/spywares!...clearly this is not good news.
someuid
June 29, 2010 at 4:03pm
Don't tell them! If you do they will be prepared! We don't want them prepared! We want to wipe the smug smiles off their faces.
Someone tell AVG to be quiet. They'll get a lot more market share if they'd just give the malware writters a bit more time.
PawBear
June 29, 2010 at 1:46pm
Wait for it... "There's an app for that"
"Either we conform the Truth to our desires or we conform our desires to the Truth."
Caboose
June 29, 2010 at 2:03pm
boo-hiss
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
IFLATLINEI
June 29, 2010 at 11:45am
Cmon all Apple users gather around please! Everyone here? Wait wheres Ean? Ean come over here please! Ok now everyone listen up. All you Apple users are IDIOTS! Thanks thats all. ;)
r3dd4wg
June 29, 2010 at 9:54am
Obviously, the Mac users are holding their computers wrong. That's how the viruses, trojans, malware, scam-ware, bot-loaders, rootkits, keyloggers, etc. etc. etc. are getting in.
Julyjules
June 29, 2010 at 7:44am
Hey Stevie, sue the crap out of AVG, they're insulting your holy products!!
Will be great to quote AVG next time someone tells me how viruses only exist for PCs, not for Macs!
fusobotic
June 29, 2010 at 7:52am
I suppose Steve Jobs will say they're getting infected because they didn't use the device right and that it's a "non-issue". Just like he said for the bad reception in iPhone 4.
Caboose
June 29, 2010 at 8:24am
It's because they were all browsing pr0n and downloading warez! If they just used their mac for what it was intented, a nice heavy paperweight, then they'd be fine!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Monstrosity
June 29, 2010 at 6:44am
avg link scanner for mac is free.
edit. oops supposed to be @ lunchbox
Monstrosity
June 29, 2010 at 7:02am
I do somewhat agree with your initial statement though. link scanner is a small part of their security suite. avg is most likely testing the waters with it to see if its worth making a full paid security application. after all businesses are here to make money, why not expand to a new platform?
lunchbox73
June 29, 2010 at 6:19am
What's the answer? Install AVG of course! Seriously, I don't care if this is true or not and I don't give a rip about Mac security but this is just and ad for AVG's product. It's not really news.
Ntldr
June 29, 2010 at 6:27am
Only a Mac fanboy would post something like that. This isn't them saying buy our product nowhere in their comments did they say hey we can help. They said that Macs need some type of AV. Most mac users, like the article points out, think there is no need for AV software because it is a mac and AVG and a few other companies a proving this flawed thinking wrong. Maybe you need to learn context and how to read an article not just see AVG saying Mac is vulnerable so they must want me to buy it.
lunchbox73
June 29, 2010 at 6:31am
I stand by my comment. Read the very first paragraph:
"Two weeks ago AVG announced its LinkScanner software for the Mac
platform designed to keep "Mac users safe from increasing intensity and
sophistication of Web attacks." Perhaps the Mac faithful didn't take too
kindly to the release, as AVG felt compelled to follow-up the
announcement with some sobering statistics for Mac users."Translation: AVG released a product for Mac and saw lackluster sales. AVG says, "You really do need this guys, come on, buy our stuff please!"
brotherj
June 29, 2010 at 7:28am
Where'd you expect the announcement to come from? A refrigerator salesman??
THIS JUST IN! A company that makes antivirus software does extensive research to see if it's necessary. Turns out....it is.
I'm with you lunchbox...I'm gonna stop throwing my money at all those condom company's too while I'm at it. And those free clinics don't fool me....they just wanna scam me so I'll buy later.
Ntldr
June 29, 2010 at 7:00am
Considering the LinkScanner is free and AVG has a free version for people to use I think you are wrong. And like I said in my previous post you saw them pointing out a vulnerability in Mac and jumped to oh they only want us to buy something. They made an announcement that Macs were not as safe as they are, two weeks later they made a follow up statement with the proof of the vulnerabilities.
lunchbox73
June 29, 2010 at 8:12am
Ya, I didn't realize linkscanner was free before I started flapping my gums.
mesiah
June 29, 2010 at 4:14pm
It's rare to see someone admit they were wrong or not totally informed in an internet argument. It's easier to just run and hide in the next thread :) Hats off to you my man!
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy5 hours 11 min ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj5 hours 21 min ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E2 days 3 hours ago
