Hey Tim

[Lewis]

Macs vulnerable to virtually undetectable virus that "can't be removed"


Macs vulnerable to virtually undetectable virus that "can't be removed"
Summary:A security researcher has discovered a way to infect Macs with malware virtually undetectable, that 'can't be removed,' and which can be installed using a modified Apple gigabit Ethernet Thunderbolt adapter.

http://www.zdnet.com...ftag=YHFb1d24ec

 

[Lewis]

Reinstallation of OS X won't remove it. Replacing the SSD won't remove it since there is nothing stored on the drive."

Now that is bad

 

[Lewis]

Tim where are you at man, I need to hear your take on this. I mean it is bad when you can't get rid of it by a clean install. I have gotten rid of viruses that would not even let me do anything after boot, by clean installing in Windows. I still think that Macs are a better OS. As far as getting a virus is concerned. Now I am triple booting Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and Unbuntu 14.04. Now I can still get a virus on my 2 Windows partitions that will not affect the Linux when I go to the same sites that get the garbage in the first place. I trust the Linux more. Windows has to have a million updates a month and that still does not work. Macs are a better OS as far as protecting itself. So when you get something in a Mac that you can't get rid of by clean installing there is problem. And Apple needs to address this right now.

 

[tim-from-pa]

C' mon, man. Do you know anyone who has physical access to your Mac that has a thunderbolt device? Why of course I can give any computer "malware" if I take a hammer to it.

Now this is far more complex, one carefully orchestrated malware attack and isn't exactly a drive-by or spamware by the thousands now, is it? Put this into perspective.

If this is what it takes to infect a Mac, then all I have to say is they are really getting desperate to physically abuse a laptop like that just to make the impenetrable look like the other broken fortress with broken windows. Such a fear is so ludicrous and improbable, that I dismiss such articles.

 

[Lewis]

I just wanted hear what you had to say about it, that's all.

 

[tim-from-pa]

JFYI: Reading this article, this is the stuff that spy novels and secret agent attacks are made of. Yeah, the maid will grab your laptop, plug in this thunderbolt device (this is physical access to your computer) change your linens and then report back to James Bond all while you just slipped out for morning coffee. Again, not the typical malware attacks we worry about "just surfing the web". Totally apples to oranges and I would not even classify this as "malware" but sabotage.

 

[Lewis]

Well at least now you know about it