Apple’s rising popularity lures hackers

[Mole_J]

Apple Security

The year 2007 was a banner one for Apple — their hardware is more popular than ever. More Apple hardware equals a greater installed base of Apple software.

Trojan DNSChangers for Mac OSX

As mentioned above, DNSChangers have started targeting Mac OSX. Social engineering is used to persuade users to enter their admin password for the install — not a big problem for clever social engineering. Getting a Mac user to type his password for an easily installed "video codec" isn't a significant challenge to overcome, at least it hasn't been a challenge for password protected Windows malware. And we're seeing a growing number of Mac DNSChanger variants. The previous lack of Mac OSX malware could be a distinct disadvantage for its users. Social engineering can short-circuit a false sense of security.

Apple Mac's market share is now significant enough for the Zlob parasites to target, as malware gangs don't make an effort to develop something without the promise of a profitable return.

Apple's Safari browser for Windows likely contributed to this development. Released in mid-June, researchers seized upon the Safari for Windows Beta and many security flaws were discovered. Many of those flaws were mirrored in the Mac version of Safari.

Web sites pushing DNSChangers determine the OS and the browser version being used by the visitor. The appropriate version of the malware is dynamically provided — visit with a Mac and you'll get Mac malware.

Leopard

Mac OSX 10.5, code-named Leopard, was released at the end of October. It's a major release for Apple.

It's been well received for its features and sales are good but with increased popularity come increased focus on security flaws.

There have already been numerous updates made available. Research has suggested that old security flaws may have been reintroduced; Leopard's new Firewall received criticism for its implementation and and thus may affect Apple's aura of perfect security.

More info here

Scroll down half way for the report on Macs.

[MacUser]

Yep, Quicktime is the culprit on both mac and pc.

I'll still like my chances.