Are there any viruses that affect Mac OS X?

With all the talk of viruses and Macs in the computer press recently, we thought it would be helpful for Intego, the Mac security specialist, to give a clear explanation of what types of viruses and malware are a danger for Mac OS X.

A virus is a type of malware, but not the only one. What types of viruses and malware exist that affect Mac OS X?

malware on macs

MAC VIRUS: A virus is a small bit of executable code that spreads when users open infected files or applications. There are two viruses that affect Mac OS X: OSX.MachArena.A, a standard virus, and OSX/Oomp-A or Leap.A, which combines the techniques of Trojan horses, viruses and worms. While both of these are found in the wild, neither are widespread. The word "virus" is used - usually incorrectly - by the general public, and even the press, when talking about malware.
WINDOWS VIRUS: There are so many Windows viruses and other forms of malware that it is hard to get a good estimate: figures range from several hundred thousand to more than a million. Windows viruses and malware don't affect Macs, but using Intego VirusBarrier X6 allows Mac users to make sure they don't inadvertently pass infected files on to friends and colleagues using Windows.
LINUX VIRUS: Linux is not immune to malware. While many users think that Linux systems are safe, they are no safer than any other operating system. Linux has a full range of malware: viruses, worms, Trojan horses and more. Intego VirusBarrier X6 detects this malware, ensuring that Mac users don't pass infected files on to Linux users.

MACRO VIRUS: Some programs let users create "macro" commands, using both menu commands and a programming language to create routines to save time and perform complex tasks. Microsoft Word and Excel are the two most common such programs, and macro viruses, which use the Visual Basic language that these programs work with, are very common. They can damage Word or Excel files, and render these applications unusable. In addition, they are crossplatform: many macro viruses affect Windows and Mac OS X alike.
TROJAN HORSE: A Trojan horse is a file or application that claims to perform some useful task but contains malicious code. Several Trojan horses affect Mac OS X; one recent example is the OSX/RSPlug Trojan horse which Intego discovered in 2007, and which has spawned new variants almost monthly since then. This malware, disguised as a video codec - software needed to view videos on a web site - changes the DNS server on a Mac to hijack its web traffic, and could, potentially, have other serious effects.
BOTNET: A botnet, while not a form of malware, can be the consequence of a malware attack. Often created by a Trojan horse or a worm, a botnet - a network of compromised computers - can be used to send spam or to attack computers. Intego found a Trojan horse responsible for a Mac botnet in January 2009, hidden inside pirated copies of popular Mac software.
WORM: Worms are one of the oldest forms of viral programs. They spread by methods other than attaching themselves to files and applications, and can be very difficult to find. They spread over networks, and, once they find new hosts, can carry out malicious actions.
EXPLOIT: While not malware as such, exploits allow hackers to take advantage of software vulnerabilities, the weak spots in the armor of a computer's security. Serious vulnerabilities are regularly found affecting Mac OS X, and exploits, which are often just booby-trapped web pages or doctored files, can be used to break through a Mac's defenses.
OTHER TYPES OF MALWARE: In addition to the malware mentioned above, a number of other types of malware exist for Mac OS X. This includes sypware, adware, keyloggers, scareware (rogue software that claims to serve a purpose, usually pretending to be security software) and more.

Why do you need to protect your Mac?

Malware writers are targeting Macs more and more.
Many types of malware threaten Macs: Trojan horses, macro viruses, worms, spyware and more.
Security flaws are regularly found in Mac OS X, providing malware writers with opportunities to attack Macs.
Users who exchange files often with friends and colleagues face increased risks.
Booby-trapped web pages can infect your Mac when you simply visit infected web sites.
Children need protection from adult content on the web.
Your personal files need to be protected in case of loss due to software or hardware problems.
You have confidential files that need to be protected from hackers and prying eyes.
Spam overwhelms your inbox, and makes it hard to deal with e‑mail.

How Intego protects your Mac

VirusBarrier X6 detects and eradicates all known malware.
VirusBarrier X6 includes a powerful two-way firewall to protect your Mac from network intrusions.
VirusBarrier X6 also protects your Mac from web threats, spyware, phishing and more.
ContentBarrier protects children from the dangers of the
Internet.
FileGuard lets you make virtual safes to protect your confidential files.
Personal Antispam weeds out spam and keeps your inbox spam-free.
Personal Backup helps you make copies of your files to protect from data loss.
NetUpdate ensures that your Intego software is always up-to-date to protect you from the latest threats.

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