The impossible has happened: MacOS X worm/malware spreads via iChat

[Asher]

Originally posted by BlackCat
@Imran : there are of course no difference between downloading and executing a program wether it's mac or windows (or any other OS). Problem is that exploder have been able to introduce viruses by just visiting a website wich is a totally different thing.

The vast majority of "malware" (viruses, adware, spyware, worms, etc) involve "social engineering" and tricking people into running programs they shouldn't. The worm/malware mentioned in this thread is one of them.

People running iChat get a file request from one of their friends named "latestpictures.tgz" (which is an archive, by the way ). Inside this is an executable, but with an icon that is identical to the image icon in Mac OS X, so most users will indeed run this.

This is a perfect example of your typical virus these days. I know this is hard for you to comprehend, like most things, but that doesn't mean it's not a virus. I actually took an academic course on viruses, malware, spyware, and spam at my university, you may have heard about it.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Asher

The vast majority of "malware" (viruses, adware, spyware, worms, etc) involve "social engineering" and tricking people into running programs they shouldn't. The worm/malware mentioned in this thread is one of them.

People running iChat get a file request from one of their friends named "latestpictures.tgz" (which is an archive, by the way ). Inside this is an executable, but with an icon that is identical to the image icon in Mac OS X, so most users will indeed run this.

This is a perfect example of your typical virus these days. I know this is hard for you to comprehend, like most things, but that doesn't mean it's not a virus. I actually took an academic course on viruses, malware, spyware, and spam at my university, you may have heard about it.

I really don't care if people are hit by "malware" if they start the program by themself. That is their headache - exatcly what is stated in your "mac is hit by virus" ot


That has nothing to do with inbuild flaws in browser and OS.

Maybe you one day have learned and grown up to see the difference

[Dinner]

It was never invulnerable. It just had to small of a user base for any self respecting malware author to bother with.

[Asher]

Originally posted by BlackCat
I really don't care if people are hit by "malware" if they start the program by themself. That is their headache - exatcly what is stated in your "mac is hit by virus" ot

That has nothing to do with inbuild flaws in browser and OS.

Maybe you one day have learned and grown up to see the difference

What the hell are you on, man?

It uses a flaw in iChat to spread malware. That is how the vast majority of popular viruses and malware spread on PCs as well.

The whole point is users of MacOS X are not invulnerable and free of this type of software. I've not said anything about "inbuild flaws in browser and OS". Please...just stop commenting in threads like this. You're always floundering around like an idiot.

[Asher]

More details:

The file trashes the user account who runs it, and also asks for admin privledges (which a lot of users are apparently typing in...) and then copies itself to a new location on the drive and modifies a few commonly used applications in order to spread itself via they Bonjour discovery and file transfer mechanism in OS X.

[Ninot]

I judge Asher as the winner of this debate.

[joncha]

There are no winners in these debates. Only losers.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Ninot
I judge Asher as the winner of this debate.

You don't need to 'judge'. It's that obvious.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
What do you think most viruses on the PC are?!

Those are not viruses. Com'on, get with the program already!

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
The vast majority of "malware" (viruses, adware, spyware, worms, etc) involve "social engineering" and tricking people into running programs they shouldn't. The worm/malware mentioned in this thread is one of them.

That's because ankle biters lack the skill in writing a real worm or virus.

The Morris Worm is now a classic, but you really need to know what you are doing.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
That's because ankle biters lack the skill in writing a real worm or virus.

Is this a homophobic comment from our moderator?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
Is this a homophobic comment from our moderator?

Your flamebaits are getting lamer all the time.

[Asher]

I guess you're not aware of the origin of the term.

[Urban Ranger]

Should I ask Cecil?

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Asher
I guess you're not aware of the origin of the term.

I've always heard ankle biters started as a term for children who crawl on the carpet. Especially when they are teething the little bastards love to bite things or put them in their mouths.