Mac botnet malware warning from Symantec

Yes, we’re all aware that the Mac is pretty solid against viruses, but it’s not impervious. Evidence of this comes from a report at 9to5Mac in which they state, “Security researchers at Symantec have uncovered what they suspect may be the first Mac OS X botnet launching denial-of service attacks.” Of course, to get it, you have to bypass Apple’s warnings and break the #1 rule of downloading content from the web, but you know, malware nonetheless.

The Symantec researches who issued the bulletin claim they’ve found two malware types that can grab control of infected machines. From 9to5Mac:

The two malware bundles are called OSX.Iservice and OSX.Iservice.B, and appear to be spread within pirated copies of iWork 09 and Photoshop CS4, distributed on the popular P2P torrent network. We’ve talked about these before but now these infected machines are springing into action.
Seems the malware maker got hold of original copies of both application and inserted the malicious binaries into the software. Users who download and install these apps may then be affected.

The researchers warn that, “Users who download files from third party sites and from P2P networks such as BitTorrent are at risk. More generally, anyone who surfs the internet should be aware of the threat of fake web sites, called phishing sites, that steal passwords, identity information and credit card numbers.”

In other words, don’t download illegal software and stay away from suspicious sites (that generally offer illegal software), and you’ll likely be okay.

More details on the malware can be found at 9to5mac.

See [Symantec.com