Apple Security Update 2011-003: Malware Removal

Apple presents latest snow leopard update describing:

“Malware removal-
Available 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.”

Screen message “Your Mac is been infected by virus” was more than enough for Mac users to think about anti malware softwares. This made “Mac malware” part of discussion among almost all Mac users.  All this made Apple think about OS updation and on 31st May 2011 Apple annonced  snow leopard updation to fight Mac malware (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4657 & http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651 )

Apple started maintaining database of Malware software in the system locally. And this database will update regularly using automatic software update (however you can ignore automatic update by disallowing from browser, if you wish). Before downloading any application Snow Leopard will check this local database and if it found malicious software trying to access, it will show:

(Credit: Apple Support)

A warning message to make users identify that some malicious software is trying to access the Mac. It provide option “move to trash” right from her!!

Particularly for Mac Defender and its variant Apple provides one special additional protection . If OS found any Mac Defender malware including its variant system will quit the malware and delete all of its related files and automatically correct the updations if any made by the malware and user has given one message after removal of MALWARE.

(Credit: Apple Support)

A message to let user know that this Mac was attacked by Mac Malware which is now removed compeltely along with its variant.

So, thinking of upgrading your OS? Wait... Take proper backup of your data before going for up gradation  just to reduce chances of data losses. You can use Stellar Clone for this purpose. You can clone whole of the drive or volume using this trusted software utility. After upgrading the Mac OS, “browse” clone/image back using the same utility to get your data back as before.

However Mac defender is not effecting the data of your Mac. What it is designed for  taking credit card information from user. It will start displaying a message saying “Your system is infected by serious malware only Mac Defender can remove it ”  This made general people press “Pay” button to order the without thinking much and this is what they wanted. But it is time to realize that some intruders are trying to enter our happy mac world. And burning question is: Are you ready to defend your Mac?