<p>The virus infects Mac computers through Web sites that tell users to install antivirus software called Mac Defender. This software does the opposite of what it proposes and infects computers with a virus.</p>
<p>Apple said the ultimate goal of the software was to gain access to credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes. Alternative versions of the virus are called MacProtector and MacSecurity</p>
<p>[Apple</a> Operating System Targeted by Malware - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Apple Operating System Targeted by Malware - The New York Times”>Apple Operating System Targeted by Malware - The New York Times)</p>
<p>Wow - thanks for the info. I received this prompt a few days ago after visiting slate.com. The odd thing was that I couldn’t close the window - the only available option was the “ok” button. I went to force quit to get out of safari. Something about it did not seem right to me and I’m so glad I dodged this bullet!</p>
<p>Thanks for the alert–I’ve passed it on to my D.</p>
<p>^^^ Just sent it to my S. (And I’m on a Mac, too.)</p>
<p>i’ve encountered a Windows version of this same con. the program screws with your computer, topping you from going online and telling you that you have to download an overpriced antivirus program. not only does it give you a virus, it can steal banking info as well as money you give to it. spread the word!!</p>
<p>I fell for this scam a few weeks ago. I was surfing some college-related site (I can’t remember exactly which one) and got a warning message. Somehow I accidentally clicked on the “open anyway” button (this is because I still don’t know how to use the multi-touch track pad and find the cursor jumping to random places on the screen), and got the dreaded MacDefender message. </p>
<p>It’s insidious, because it pretends that it is a part of your operating system that has detected a virus and asks for your password to get rid of it. Who would fall for that you might wonder? People like me who own Macs because we are so technology-phobic, and who panic at the very thought of a computer virus.</p>
<p>What happens next is a request for your credit card number so that you can get a “better version” of the “anti-virus” software. (At this point my common sense finally kicked in.) When I declined this offer, my computer went crazy and kept popping up with warning messages. I shut it down (which is what I should have done from the very beginning), but when I started it up again, the warnings appeared immediately, along with pornography sites. :(</p>
<p>A Google search quickly yielded a description of the problem and a few sites offering a solution. Thank goodness Apple is going to deliver a software update to combat this Trojan Horse. They now have a fix it posted on their site. <a href=“http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4650[/url]”>http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4650</a></p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread Menloparkmom. I’m sorry I didn’t think about posting a warning myself, after my experience. </p>
<p>It’s amazing what you learn at CC!</p>
<p>Apple is going to have to address the virus/trojan issue as Mac OS X is getting big enough to attract the attention of malware writers. BTW, there is a version that doesn’t require you to enter your password.</p>
<p>In general, I avoid Safari. Chrome and Firefox are the stronger browsers when it comes to security on Mac OS X.</p>