my1stmacisaHACK Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 A new adware program silently installs on Mac OS X systems and opens Web browser windows, according to F-Secure. The program, dubbed iAdware by the Finnish security company, is possibly the first example of adware for Macs. It is especially interesting since it doesn't require administrative privileges to nestle itself on the computers, according to F-Secure. "We won't disclose the exact technique used here, it's a feature not a bug, but let's just say that installing a System Library shouldn't be allowed without prompting the user," according to the F-Secure blog on Thursday. The program is a proof-of-concept sent to F-Secure and it is not out targeting users on the Internet. "In theory, this program could be silently installed to your user account and hooked to each application you use," according to the F-Secure blog. "This particular sample successfully launched the Mac's Web browser when we used any of a number of applications." Malicious software that targets Mac OS X systems is rare and has been limited largely to proof-of-concept code, instead of actual attacks. However, there are indications that hackers are increasingly targeting the Mac, which experts have said is not impervious to attacks. For example, as part of a campaign called the Month of the Kernel Bugs, several new flaws have been disclosed in Apple Computer software, the latest on Monday in the AppleTalk protocol. Last week, exploit code was released for another yet-to-be-fixed flaw in Mac OS X related to disk image structures. Apple could not immediately be reached for comment. source: http://news.com.com/Adware+sample+targets+...?tag=html.alert Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hrgasr Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 For the last and final time. Mac os X CAN'T BE HACKED like Windows XP. OS X uses a microkernel (bunch of checking points, and other features that lessen performance slightly, but give you the great security you need with modern hardware..etc) whereas Windows XP uses a monolithic kernel (no real checking points, faster than microkernel, but waaay less secure and performance gain is not that significant with today's fast hardware..etc) . What this means for those not very knowledgeable about kernels are even if you find an exploit in Mac OS X, the effect will be very localized (limited to the application..etc) and not effect the whole system in most cases, as I have yet to see one that can take over the whole system. With Windows, a exploit is not localized usually, beacuse of the nature of the monolithic kernel. This is why a simple exploit in windows can lead to system take overs, remote attacks, turning the PC into a zombie for spam..etc Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246612 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Mac os X CAN'T BE HACKED like Windows XP. If there's a will, there's a way. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwhsh8r Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=34170 allready posted, and Hrgasr, im sure apple also said leopard would never be pirated. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lostgame Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 Mac OS X can't be hacked like Windows XP Okay...what web site are we on again? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246702 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda200x Posted December 2, 2006 Share Posted December 2, 2006 InsanelyMac! Im sure he meant Virus ones etc. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246704 Share on other sites More sharing options...
katmail Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 F-Security labs has discovered how to install adware on Macintosh OS X 10. The adware (called iAdware) loads itself with each program as a system library. The adware only needs copy permissions to install, so it does not need administrator privileges to be installed. Compared to some adware for the PC, iAdware is relatively harmless. The proof-of-concept bug launches a web browser window when any program is launched. F-Secure says that a prompt to install system library files would effectively stop iAdware from installing Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-246831 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hrgasr Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=34170 allready posted, and Hrgasr, im sure apple also said leopard would never be pirated. Thinking Mac OS X was successfully pirated is like saying you successfully stole a bike after sawing off its front tire that had the lock on it attaching it to the bike rail. The only way to get OS X running on normal PCs was to hijack the system using wrong version kernels, patching certain files, decrypting things...etc Its a joke to compare the hackintosh versions to the real native versions of OS X running on an official Intel Mac. Anything can be cracked or stolen if you break it up first. Point is, those running Mac OS X authentically, wont' have the problems of hackintoshes and will be waaaaay more secure than Windows XP. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-247247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Nonny Moose Posted December 3, 2006 Share Posted December 3, 2006 More talk about this proof of concept {censored}? Wake me up when something real hits. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/34727-mac-os-x-adware/#findComment-247330 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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