TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Virus Attacking Apple MacIntosh Computers


Virus Attacking Apple MacIntosh Computers


Reuters News Wire (reuters@telecom-digest.org)
Fri, 17 Feb 2006 13:05:45 -0600

A malicious computer worm has been found that targets Apple Computer
Inc.'s Mac OS X operating system, believed to be the first such virus
aimed specifically at the Mac platform.

The worm is called OSX/Leap-A, according to a posting on the Web site
of antivirus software company Sophos, which said the worm is spread
via instant messaging programs.

The worm attempts to spread via Apple's iChat instant messaging program,
which is compatible with America Online's popular AIM instant messaging
program, according to the Sophos Web site.

The worm sends itself to available contacts on the infected users'
buddy list in a file called "latestpics.tgz," according to the Sophos
Web site.

The vast majority of malicious hacks are aimed at Microsoft Corp.'s
Windows operating system and some of its products, largely because
Microsoft has more than 90 percent of the market for computer
operating systems.

"This first Macintosh OS X threat is an example of the continuing
spread of malicious code on to other platforms," said Vincent Weafer,
senior director at Symantec Security Response, in a statement.

The worm will not automatically infect Mac computers, but will ask
users to accept the file, Weafer said.

Symantec ranked the new worm as a Level 1 threat (with 5 being the most
severe).

An Apple spokesperson was not immediately available to comment.

Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited.

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