Apple Releases Security Update for OS X to Squash MacDefender Malware

Apple has released a security update for OS X 10.6.7 desktop and server editions in order to eliminate MacDefender malware as well as an automatic daily check to update the malware definitions list.

Full details:

• File QuarantineAvailable for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7

  Impact: Definition added

  Description: The OSX.MacDefender.A definition has been added to the malware check within File Quarantine. Information on File Quarantine is available in this Knowledge Base article:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3662

• File QuarantineAvailable for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7

  Impact: Automatically update the known malware definitions

  Description: The system will check daily for updates to the File Quarantine malware definition list. An opt-out capability is provided via the “Automatically update safe downloads list” checkbox in Security Preferences. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

• Malware removalAvailable for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7

  Impact: Remove the MacDefender malware if detected

  Description: The installation process for this update will search for and remove known variants of the MacDefender malware. If a known variant was detected and removed, the user will be notified via an alert after the update is installed. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

MacDefender malware, also known as MacProtector, MacSecurity, and Mac Guard, “pretends to be legitimate antivirus software, while posting fake alerts, and opening up pornographic Web pages in an attempt to get users to enter in their credit card information to clean up their computer,” according to CNET.

Fire up Software Update in your Apple menu to get the update now.

via Apple