Talking point: The '600,000 Mac' infections are JAVA exploits.

[denem]

Last edited Sat Apr 7, 2012, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)

'OSX is no more secure than Windows'? Nope. This not about Macs (or PC's) it's a problem with JAVA.

JAVA is not OSX. JAVA is not included in current Mac installations. Since Apple handed back maintenance of JAVA to Oracle, Larry Ellison owns it.

How to fix it.
If JAVA is installed on your Mac, the usual software update will nix it. "BackDoor.Flashback.39" are rogue JAVA applets. The update kills them.

Note: "BackDoor.Flashback.39" affects Mac and Windows JAVA equally. Windows users have more difficult path to go.

Reboot Windows in Safe Mode.
Use Dr.Web® scanner of free curing utility Dr.Web® CureIT! to scan local drives.
The “Cure” action should be applied for all infected files.
Restore registry from the backup copy.

As per usual, the trojan embeds itself in the monstrosity that is The Windows Registry.
The steps above advertises one virus vendor. Dr. Web. Any vendor would do.

The JAVA update is available on OSX Software Update now. Get it, or download

JAVA (10.6) http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5056

JAVA (10.7) http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1515