There has been a sharp increase in the need for specialized Mac security software. This has become the trend for one single reason - the population of Mac users have increased. This increase in users has attracted interest by hackers to investigate the vulnerabilities of mac computers. And I’m sorry to say this but, they have indeed found many as some have feared.

This hubpage was created in response to comments and requests made on a previous hubpage that I wrote: Computer security software tools and guides for fixes, protection, and prevention for Windows. I hope that by the end of this page, all Mac users will have an increased awareness of mac security and the need for you to use available internet security software and other utilities to keep your Mac more secure.

Are Apple Macintosh Computers Vulnerable To Attack?

The simple answer is a resounding, Yes.

Now like a lot of Mac users (even if I don’t own a Mac myself), I also had this short sighted assumption that the Mac OS was very secure and could not be attacked because, my friends and colleagues who owned one couldn’t stop preaching how superior it was to the windows OS in terms of security and internet browsing issues. I almost became tempted because of this now proven falsehood to, buy a Mac computer myself. However, I decided to investigated this and, I discovered that there where many Mac security vulnerability issues. Find below a few topics of interest that I came across:
Mac OS X hacked under 30 minutes
MacBook Air Hacked In Two Minutes
I also noticed a few mac computer security devotee sites online, some of them dating as far back to 1999. Prominent among them for me was Securemac.com, this is site is highly regarded by most search engines online and concentrates on Apple Macintosh computer security and Mac OS X Security. The most interesting thing (and some may also find alarming) about securemac for me is, their regularly updated Mac Security News, which keeps one abreast with the current trends and threats facing Macs.

Meanwhile, checkout this dude's video that shares my views about Mac computer security software. Under all his technical jargon, he stresses the need for mac security because you wouldn’t know (according to him) when you will need security software to keep you safe from attack and exploitation. Note his personal experience of being attacked (or exploited as he put it.

Mac Computer Security Software Availability

Apple’s website features no strong evidence of these security issues and their most recent security update has been as way back as December 2007. This revelation is alarming and should be questioned.

And if you think that people aren’t buying Mac related computer security software, then think again. A look at eBay revealed that purchases of mac computer security software were on the increase. This also led me to discover that the major players in the computer and internet security software industry were also producing (or designing) computer security software that was focused on Macs and the Mac OS OS X or. The key player here is Norton, with their product, Norton Antivirus for Mac.

Symantec and Norton antivirus software divisions are not alone in the battle to keep Macs secure and attack free. But first, I had to actually test these by using a Mac. So I enlisted the use of a friend’s highly acclaimed Macbook Air. This he has generously loaned to me (also because he complained about noticing his Mac redirecting him to other sites when browsing and his intention of not needing it during the duration of his vacation (4 weeks). I intend to use his macbook in two ways:
1. To scan to see if there are indeed Mac internet security type threats
2. To see if there are computer security software that cannot only seek but also destroy them as well.

Limitations

I however was restricted to using only free software and online tools. This would entail getting permission from my friend and the cost of purchasing them. I have however mentioned a few, and included some reviews which I read about them. And to crown it all, I have been limited to just a few weeks of testing. Despite these limitations, I could indeed show that there are threats out there, people are beginning to notice and, something is being done about it

ChkRootKit_MacOSX 0.47.5 download here

This is the first piece of software that I decided to try, and as you can see straight away it was worth it. This nifty tool checks for worms & LKM Trojans (don’t bother about what LKM means, just know that it is bad!). Ran a scan and Bingo! It detected a DNSChanger Trojan Horse straight away. I discovered that this trojan horse usually carried in a disk image, and disguises itself as an installer for MacCinema.

This Trojan was being distributed on websites that offer pirated software, as well as porn sites feigning to be video plug-ins (my cheeky friend was up to dodgy stuff, don’t you think?). So guys, avoid websites that offer pirated software, or porn sites that request that you to install software to view videos, this will limit the chances of exposure to this Trojan. I found security software for removing this Trojan called DNStrojan horse remover

Symptoms of Infection by DNSChanger Trojan
- Website links are redirected. Just like the hijackthis virus in windows OS, it redirects you usually to an advertising site when you click on a link to a website (in search engine results).
2. Pop-up ads. Infected Macs will sometimes display pop-up ads, usually with contents relating to porn or enhancement drugs.
3. Web pages load slowly. Web pages may take a long time to load, or time out completely when infected with the trojan horse.I successfully removed this with a DNStrojan horse remover (http://macscan.securemac.com/files/DNSChangerRemovalTool.dmg)

Trend Micro Online Scanner

That sorted, I used an online application that is used to check whether your computer has been infected by viruses, spyware, or other malware. It performs additional security checks to identify and fix vulnerabilities to prevent reinfection in Mac OS X. This is also a great online scanner that takes it time (dependant upon your internet connection speed and size of files), but I tell you one thing, it will make you sleep better. I tried this online tool out and the results showed my system as being okay.

Iantivirus (free download)

This relatively new but powerful mac security software, comes out from the stables of PC Tools, it is packed with some great features. It works in the background, has a variety of scanning options, regular database smart updates, quarantine feature, and real time protection. I have it installed on my friend's macbook and it's been working great and running smart updates. But since my testing time was limited, let me refer you to this site for more reviews from real Mac users who have used it with different Mac Os's : MacUpdate

Check out this video, show casing possible Mac security threats capabilities of the intego bundled software for the Mac OS X and Snow Leopard. I believe that they can promote these dangers better than I did (maybe)

Intego Mac Security Software

This I didn’t use because of the cost plus, I would need permission from my friend who is far away sunny Spain to be bothered right now is all about Mac internet security and privacy software. This is the current hot seller in terms of security software for the Mac. They even boast of a comprehensive package that supports the Macs current snow leopard OS.
They have these current internet security barrier software bundles (as they would like to call it) targeting:
NetBarrier X5, 10.5.4
VirusBarrier X5, 10.5.9
Personal Backup X5, 10.5.6
ContentBarrier X5, 10.5.5
Personal Antispam X5, 10.5.3
FileGuard X5, 10.5.2
VirusBarrier Server and VirusBarrier Mail Gateway, 10.5.9
Mind you, these bundles don’t come cheap and seem to be targeting top end and corporate Mac users. Packages range from £74 - £299. Not ‘a walk in the park’ but goes to show how seriously mac security has to be put into consideration. Intego has made a bold leap into providing comprehensive apple macintosh, Mac OS X, and the Snow Leopard OS internet security and privacy software
All in all, the brief use of these software and online tools (and more) have shown the following:
• That, there are real mac security threats out there;
• It is spreading as more people are purchasing apple’s products;
• There is also a growing demand by individuals and corporate bodies for mac internet security software and privacy tools; and
• Mac computer security software products are surfacing to meet these demands
My friend and since got back, and he’s now a grateful, reformed man and looking into investing time and money into securing his beloved macbook from further threats (plus, I got a few beers and a couple of high fives for saving his dear Mac).
This experience has encouraged me to actually invest in owning a mac for myself so that I can test some of these products even further and hopefully to their full capacity. And also, for the selfish reason of also being a proud owner of a Mac! If I do get one I will let you know by writing a hub about it.