By now you've probably heard of the Mac Defender malware that has made its way.  Apple has decided to jump on the issue, by posting a support document that explains how to "avoid or remove" Mac Defender. The company is also planning on releasing an update to Mac OS X that will automatically find and remove the malware.

The document is describing the malware as a phishing scam that is redirecting users from legitimate websites to "fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus."

Said websites then offer bogus antivirus software that claim to alleviate the problem, operating under misnomers like Mac Defender, Mac Protector and Mac Security. To add insult to injury, the word "Mac" is usually spelt in all caps.

Apple suggests force quitting the offending application and then deleting it from the Utilities folder, where it's installed by default.  However, the biggest worry is that users will enter in their credit card information where they're promised an application that will help reverse the infection.

While Ed Bott of ZDNet suggests that Mac Defender provides evidence that Macs are now experiencing malware and virus issues similar to what Windows users have experienced, security expert Charlie Miller dismisses the claim.  He said in a recent interview, "Microsoft recently pointed out that 1 in 14 downloads on Windows are malicious. And the fact there is just one piece of Mac malware being widely discussed illustrates how rare malware still is on the Mac platform."

He continued that while antivirus software can certainly help out one's system, "it's expensive, uses system memory and reduces battery life."

Apple recommends that Mac users "should exercise caution any time they are asked to enter sensitive personal information online" and reminders users that it "provides security updates for the Mac exclusively through Software Update and the Apple Support Downloads site."

via AppleInsider

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