Beware - MAC 'virus' spyware

[Earlybird]

I thought I'd pass on the following information in case it proves helpful to other MAC owners/users.

This morning I logged on, and received a message "NOTICE! The system is infected!''

The computer did a scan, and then flashed up:

Security Status: Unfortunately your computer is infected. Four viruses were detected:

Worm
Rootkit
Spyware
Adware

It then asked me to install Mac Protector (which I did), and asked me to install Mac Defender for $59 (which I didn't - I am in America, hence the $ amount).

Then, I began to get various pop ups for Gay Porn.

I sent an urgent email to my tech support fellow. He told me I was the first case he'd had of spyware on a Mac. The 'scan' the computer did was an internet pop up window. When I clicked on the (fake) Mac Protector, I installed the spyware.

In case any of you get 'caught' as I did, here are instructions to remove the spyward. You have to scroll down a bit to get the step by step directions.

www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-mac-protector

Hope that helps some of you avoid my little adventure!

Must admit, it's the first time I've heard of it on a mac too. And i've been rather enjoying running my mac without Antivirus too!

Yes as i said below, according to my tech consultant I have the dubious 'honour' of being the first person he's known to be affected (infected? ) by this virus.

I wouldn't normally have installed the Mac protector without first checking it out, but was lulled into a false sense of security by the 'safety' of Macs. Thankfully, it was a fairly easy 'fix' but that is only because i knew someone who could tell me how to remedy the problem.

This isn't a "virus", it didn't spread itself or get onto your machine through any security holes but had to actually be installed. And if you can be tricked into installing software on your computer then it has the potential to do anything that you can do.

So general advice is to think carefully when installing anything on any computer.

Particular Mac advice is to not run yourself as an administrator, there's really no need for it. The computer will prompt you if you ever do need to do something as the administrator but it really shouldn't happen very often at all. If you want any advice on that then ask for help on how to do it.

There is no need to run antivirus on a Mac, there aren't any Mac viruses (yet).

Good to see a 'heads up' from a newer user, because, let's face it, lots of people could be tricked into letting this nasty onto their machine.

Only yesterday saw a web report that user forums were 'buzzing' with reports about it because of widespread installation and variations have been found.

Even though it may not be a virus in the sense that it didn't 'invade' a machine, but was installed by conning a person, it shows the Apple audience is going to be a regular target from now on, and should not be complacent, or over confident, either.