Snow Leopard contains new anti-malware feature
updated 09:15 pm EDT, Tue August 25, 2009
Snow Leopard antivirus
The upcoming Snow Leopard update reportedly contains new anti-malware functionality, according to the Mac security company Intego. A number of beta testers have noticed a new warning screen that alerts users to malicious code. A leaked screenshot shows an alert dialog for an RSPlug Trojan contained in a disk image downloaded through Safari.
It is unclear if the OS X antivirus components scan just the downloads or full range of content on the system. Safari shows a similar warning dialog, although it provides a general warning instead of a specific reference to a particular threat.
Apple's Get a Mac ads have criticized the Windows platform as more prone to viruses or spyware. A number of security analysts have suggested Mac OS X continues to face more threats as the operating system grows in popularity and becomes a higher-priority target for hackers.
finally
08/25, 11:16pm reply
While I've never been particularly concerned about malware on the Mac, it's nice to see that Apple isn't ignoring the existence of the few threats that are out there in remote corners of cyberspace (generally where one shouldn't be in the first place).
Hopefully, there's more intelligence to this mechanism than just identifying the handful of proof-of-concept trojans that are known to exist.
lockhartt
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2000
How else?
08/26, 01:03am (4 replies) reply
Every single Windows anti-malware tool does exactly the same thing -- look for malware that's known to exist. They regularly update their lists and file signatures for the malware that had appeared since the previous update. no intelligence there. I can't think how one would devise "intelligent" software to automatically recognise malware it knows nothing about.
Anyway, the feature seems a good idea, if it ends up in the shipping version.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Good
08/26, 08:19am reply
Generally, the malware out there comes from software downloads from less than reputable sources (pirate sites, torrents, etc).
Good to know this is in place, but due diligence is always good too!
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Nothing's changed
08/26, 10:27am reply
More FUD. It has nothing to do with market share.
Mr. Strat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2002
Re: Nothing's changed
08/26, 02:33pm reply
What doesn't have anything to do with market share?
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001