Update Java if you haven't already. There's a pretty nasty, widespread malware infection going on.

[doh123]

Since when is Java available for iOS? Do you have to jailbreak it?

[preview]

Since when is Java available for iOS? Do you have to jailbreak it?

It isn't. I was making fun of Mr_Mysterious' typo.

[Mr_Mysterious]

Technically not a typo since it has long been Apple's dream to integrate all of their different OSes into one cohesive whole

Mr. Mysterious

[Rodster]

My thoughts on this is Apple is as much to blame for what happened as those who ignored the warnings. As Korn said their is NO operating system that is secure proof. As a former Mac user, I remember individuals getting laughed out of forums when security and AV was brought up on a Mac.

And I do believe Apple played the virus marketing game to their advantage. I remember back in 2003 when I bought my second iMac that OS X did not crash, was hack proof, and was not vulnerable to viruses.

I'm of the belief that back then Apple was largely ignored because a) too small a market share and b) they were the underdog in the industry.

Today both reasons a) and b) have changed especially reason b). Apple now has the distinction of being the largest and most valuable tech company in the world. My prediction is more of this stuff is coming down the pipe. AV and security should not be ignored on any system including OS X.

[tongdakfiend]

Does anyone have a recommendation on good third party anti-malware software that provides real-time protection and has minimal impact on system resources?

[doh123]

Does anyone have a recommendation on good third party anti-malware software that provides real-time protection and has minimal impact on system resources?

Sophos works great like that for me... and the Mac version for personal home use is free!

[kornchild2002]

Sophos also automatically updates itself quite often (about once every day or every other day) and stays ahead of the game. Back when Mac Keeper was infecting people, Sophos was able to stop and remove it before Apple issued an OS X patch. I believe the same holds true for this Java exploit. It will even catch Windows malware/viruses/whatever despite their inability to actually infect OS X.

[tongdakfiend]

Sophos works great like that for me... and the Mac version for personal home use is free!

Thanks. I will definitely try it out.

EDIT: Again, thanks for the recommendation. The real time protection does not impact the system too noticeably. Sophos is definitely not as well developed as Win 7 solutions (the full scan takes forever vis-a-vis MSE and others and there does not appear to be a quick scan option), but I am guessing that third party developers do not spend as much time on anti-malware software for the Mac. Regardless, I plan on keeping Sophos on this Mac.

[dmk2]

I got the malware and I'm not real happy about the delay. I just read today that 650,000 Macs may be infected (BBC link). As Apple's market share increases, they're going to have to be more vigilant.

What really worries me are viruses and malware on iOS and Android. Given the number of devices in use they have to be big targets.

[tongdakfiend]

@dmk2:

Yeah, though I don't use my Mac that often, I wasn't happy that Apple didn't even patch my laptop with 10.5 which is only four years old. My Mac was clean, but I decided to disable Java in Chrome (primary browser) and Safari and install Sophos. I was initially going to use the laptop strictly offline since it is really just a backup, but then I realized that was stupid given how much money I had spent on it.