Apple juggernaut sends ripples

Apple has launched the latest version of its Mac operating system - OS X Lion - through its online app store.

Malware attack specifically targets Mac users

It's not unusual for a new malware attack to pop up on the Internet every other moment, but the latest vicious bit of software floating around is particularly fascinating because it specifically targets Mac users.

The Next Web reports that a malware version of the popular MacDefender antivirus application is confusing and infecting a great number of Mac users right now:

Early reports show that users have been targeted as they search Google Images, one user stating that the bogus MacDefender application was automatically downloaded as he browsed images of Piranhas. Further searching through the Apple Discussion boards suggests that the malware campaign is targeting users of Apple’s Safari browser, displaying warnings that the user’s computer has been infected with viruses that only the unofficial MacDefender application can remove.

Part of the reason many are being easily infected by the malware is that Safari — the default browser in Mac OS — can be set to automatically open trusted software. This means that users are getting infected without even a hint of what's happening until the malicious app demands payment for "protection" like a digital mob boss.

The good news? So far it doesn't appear that the malicious MacDefender app does much, other than attempt to scare people into forking over their credit card numbers. It can even be easily removed:

To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck "Open 'safe' files after downloading."

Searching for the application and deleting it directly may fail, saying the app is in use. To stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to MacDefender.

Look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app.

Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash.

To ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find.

As a precaution, it would be wise for Safari users to toggle the "Open 'safe' files after downloading" setting whether they're infected or not. It could prevent attacks similar to this one.

Apple computer owners are being subjected to a number of specialised malware attacks that insists Mac users download a malware version of the popular MacDefender antivirus application, infecting their computers as a result.

News of the malware campaign surfaced as scores of Mac computer owners flooded the Apple Discussion Forums, asking members for advice on how to delete the MacDefender application from their systems.

One member writes:

Hi I am new to this, but something called Mac Defender has downloaded itself and now I cannot get it off my computer. Can someone shed some light on this bizarre program that I did not ask for?

Early reports show that users have been targeted as they search Google Images, one user stating that the bogus MacDefender application was automatically downloaded as he browsed images of Piranhas. Further searching through the Apple Discussion boards suggests that the malware campaign is targeting users of Apple’s Safari browser, displaying warnings that the user’s computer has been infected with viruses that only the unofficial MacDefender application can remove.

Safari users can set their browser to automatically open software they trust, it is thought that many have been infected without their knowledge by this route of attack. Upon downloading, the app asks users to pay for protection, possibly giving attackers credit card details as a result.

To reassure users of the official MacDefender software, it’s creator has taken to the official website to warn users of the malware campaign:

IMPORTANT NOTE: As it seams someone wrote a virus/malware application named mac defender (MacDefender.app) for OS X. If you see an application named like this DO NOT DOWNLOAD/INSTALL it. I would never release an application named like this.

It is not thought that the malware application is able to infect Mac computers with a virus, instead it is posing as scareware, which preys on disrupting the confidence of Mac users but also getting them to hand over their credit card details.

Luckily, disabling and removing the bogus MacDefender application is easy. If you have been infected and want to make sure it no longer resides on your system, follow the steps below:

To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck “Open “safe” files after downloading”.
Searching for the application and deleting it directly may fail, saying the app is in use. To stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to MacDefender.
Look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app.
Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash.
To ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find.

Apple juggernaut sends ripples through tech world

By PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer Peter Svensson, Ap Technology Writer – Fri Apr 29, 3:55 pm ET

NEW YORK – Consumer technology companies reporting financial results this week are looking like rowboats bobbing in the wake of Apple Inc.'s supertanker.

Close to oblivion in 1997, Apple is now the world's second-most valuable company, after Exxon Mobil Corp. On April 20, it reported net income of $5.99 billion for the January-to-March period, nearly double that of a year ago. It shipped a record 18.65 million iPhones during the quarter. Its iPad tablet computers are so popular, the company couldn't make enough.

Apple's ascendancy has produced many losers and a few winners, as underscored over the past two weeks:

• Microsoft Corp.: loser.

Apple dethroned Microsoft as the world's most valuable technology company a year ago. In its mid-fall report, it surpassed Microsoft in quarterly revenue. In the January-March period this year, it surpassed Microsoft in net income, too.

On Thursday, Microsoft reported that revenue from the Windows operating system declined for the second straight quarter because people are buying fewer Windows computers.

Some prospective buyers are going to Macs instead — Apple reported that it sold 28 percent more units. Others are going to iPads. Goldman Sachs now believes that more than 30 percent of iPads sold may be replacing PC sales. In the 90s, the trend was the opposite, as Windows PCs were crowding out Macs.

• Nokia Corp.: loser.

Nokia said this week that it will slash 7,000 jobs through layoffs and outsourcing. It still sells more phones than anyone else, but it's losing share to Apple, especially when it comes to smartphones.

Research firm Strategy Analytics also said revenue from Apple's iPhone sales surpassed that of Nokia's phones in the January-to-March period, as iPhones are much more expensive than the average Nokia phone. That makes Apple the world's largest phone maker by revenue.

To better compete with the iPhone, Nokia is ditching its old Symbian software and adopting Microsoft's Windows Phone 7. But the transition will take time; the first Windows-powered Nokia phones aren't expected until late 2011 or early 2012.

• Research In Motion Ltd.: loser.

The maker of the BlackBerry is in a predicament that's similar to Nokia's. RIM warned Thursday that net income, revenue and unit sales for the quarter ending in May will come in below its previous forecast.

The company's high-end phones are looking old compared with the iPhone and ones running Google Inc.'s Android software. They aren't selling as well as the company expected.

RIM promised investors that new phones with revamped software will bring sales roaring back in the latter half of the year, but investors are skeptical, sending RIM's stock down Friday.

• HTC Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.: winners, indirectly.

Although all three companies compete with Apple's iPhone, they are doing well. Unlike Nokia and RIM, the three are betting on Google's Android system, which comes the closest to mimicking the look, feel and functions of the iPhone.

Motorola Mobility is a shadow of the old Motorola, once the world's second-largest maker of phones. But its focus on Android-powered smartphones is showing signs of success. It reported on Thursday a near-doubling of smartphone sales in the first quarter.

HTC of Taiwan has been making smartphones for a decade, and sales are really taking off with the help of Android. On Friday, it reported selling 9.7 million in the first quarter.

For South Korea's Samsung, smartphone sales were a bright spot in the first quarter as overall phone sales declined and other electronics were weak. The company is embroiled in patent litigation with Apple.

• Verizon Wireless: winner.

The No. 1 U.S. cellphone carrier posted a jump in new contract-signing customers — the more profitable kind — after it introduced its version of the iPhone on Feb. 10, which ended AT&T Inc.'s exclusive grip on the device in the U.S.

(Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.)

• AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp: mixed.

Verizon's new subscribers came at the expense of AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp. But neither carrier saw signs of current customers moving to Verizon for the sake of the iPhone. Rather, it seems customers weighing between carriers were more likely to go to Verizon because of the iPhone.

AT&T appeared to be splitting new iPhone customers evenly with Verizon Wireless.

Sprint lost lucrative contract customers in the quarter, but continued its long turnaround by signing up a record number of people on cheaper, contract-free plans.


	Apple goes download only for Lion Apple has launched the latest version of its Mac operating system - OS X Lion - through its online app store. Malware attack specifically targets Mac users It's not unusual for a new malware attack to pop up on the Internet every other moment, but the latest vicious bit of software floating around is particularly fascinating because it specifically targets Mac users. The Next Web reports that a malware version of the popular MacDefender antivirus application is confusing and infecting a great number of Mac users right now: Early reports show that users have been targeted as they search Google Images, one user stating that the bogus MacDefender application was automatically downloaded as he browsed images of Piranhas. Further searching through the Apple Discussion boards suggests that the malware campaign is targeting users of Apple’s Safari browser, displaying warnings that the user’s computer has been infected with viruses that only the unofficial MacDefender application can remove. Part of the reason many are being easily infected by the malware is that Safari — the default browser in Mac OS — can be set to automatically open trusted software. This means that users are getting infected without even a hint of what's happening until the malicious app demands payment for "protection" like a digital mob boss. The good news? So far it doesn't appear that the malicious MacDefender app does much, other than attempt to scare people into forking over their credit card numbers. It can even be easily removed: To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck "Open 'safe' files after downloading." Searching for the application and deleting it directly may fail, saying the app is in use. To stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to MacDefender. Look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app. Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash. To ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find. As a precaution, it would be wise for Safari users to toggle the "Open 'safe' files after downloading" setting whether they're infected or not. It could prevent attacks similar to this one. Apple computer owners are being subjected to a number of specialised malware attacks that insists Mac users download a malware version of the popular MacDefender antivirus application, infecting their computers as a result. News of the malware campaign surfaced as scores of Mac computer owners flooded the Apple Discussion Forums, asking members for advice on how to delete the MacDefender application from their systems. One member writes: Hi I am new to this, but something called Mac Defender has downloaded itself and now I cannot get it off my computer. Can someone shed some light on this bizarre program that I did not ask for? Early reports show that users have been targeted as they search Google Images, one user stating that the bogus MacDefender application was automatically downloaded as he browsed images of Piranhas. Further searching through the Apple Discussion boards suggests that the malware campaign is targeting users of Apple’s Safari browser, displaying warnings that the user’s computer has been infected with viruses that only the unofficial MacDefender application can remove. Safari users can set their browser to automatically open software they trust, it is thought that many have been infected without their knowledge by this route of attack. Upon downloading, the app asks users to pay for protection, possibly giving attackers credit card details as a result. To reassure users of the official MacDefender software, it’s creator has taken to the official website to warn users of the malware campaign: IMPORTANT NOTE: As it seams someone wrote a virus/malware application named mac defender (MacDefender.app) for OS X. If you see an application named like this DO NOT DOWNLOAD/INSTALL it. I would never release an application named like this. It is not thought that the malware application is able to infect Mac computers with a virus, instead it is posing as scareware, which preys on disrupting the confidence of Mac users but also getting them to hand over their credit card details. Luckily, disabling and removing the bogus MacDefender application is easy. If you have been infected and want to make sure it no longer resides on your system, follow the steps below: To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck “Open “safe” files after downloading”. Searching for the application and deleting it directly may fail, saying the app is in use. To stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to MacDefender. Look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app. Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash. To ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find. Apple juggernaut sends ripples through tech world By PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer Peter Svensson, Ap Technology Writer – Fri Apr 29, 3:55 pm ET NEW YORK – Consumer technology companies reporting financial results this week are looking like rowboats bobbing in the wake of Apple Inc.'s supertanker. Close to oblivion in 1997, Apple is now the world's second-most valuable company, after Exxon Mobil Corp. On April 20, it reported net income of $5.99 billion for the January-to-March period, nearly double that of a year ago. It shipped a record 18.65 million iPhones during the quarter. Its iPad tablet computers are so popular, the company couldn't make enough. Apple's ascendancy has produced many losers and a few winners, as underscored over the past two weeks: • Microsoft Corp.: loser. Apple dethroned Microsoft as the world's most valuable technology company a year ago. In its mid-fall report, it surpassed Microsoft in quarterly revenue. In the January-March period this year, it surpassed Microsoft in net income, too. On Thursday, Microsoft reported that revenue from the Windows operating system declined for the second straight quarter because people are buying fewer Windows computers. Some prospective buyers are going to Macs instead — Apple reported that it sold 28 percent more units. Others are going to iPads. Goldman Sachs now believes that more than 30 percent of iPads sold may be replacing PC sales. In the 90s, the trend was the opposite, as Windows PCs were crowding out Macs. • Nokia Corp.: loser. Nokia said this week that it will slash 7,000 jobs through layoffs and outsourcing. It still sells more phones than anyone else, but it's losing share to Apple, especially when it comes to smartphones. Research firm Strategy Analytics also said revenue from Apple's iPhone sales surpassed that of Nokia's phones in the January-to-March period, as iPhones are much more expensive than the average Nokia phone. That makes Apple the world's largest phone maker by revenue. To better compete with the iPhone, Nokia is ditching its old Symbian software and adopting Microsoft's Windows Phone 7. But the transition will take time; the first Windows-powered Nokia phones aren't expected until late 2011 or early 2012. • Research In Motion Ltd.: loser. The maker of the BlackBerry is in a predicament that's similar to Nokia's. RIM warned Thursday that net income, revenue and unit sales for the quarter ending in May will come in below its previous forecast. The company's high-end phones are looking old compared with the iPhone and ones running Google Inc.'s Android software. They aren't selling as well as the company expected. RIM promised investors that new phones with revamped software will bring sales roaring back in the latter half of the year, but investors are skeptical, sending RIM's stock down Friday. • HTC Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.: winners, indirectly. Although all three companies compete with Apple's iPhone, they are doing well. Unlike Nokia and RIM, the three are betting on Google's Android system, which comes the closest to mimicking the look, feel and functions of the iPhone. Motorola Mobility is a shadow of the old Motorola, once the world's second-largest maker of phones. But its focus on Android-powered smartphones is showing signs of success. It reported on Thursday a near-doubling of smartphone sales in the first quarter. HTC of Taiwan has been making smartphones for a decade, and sales are really taking off with the help of Android. On Friday, it reported selling 9.7 million in the first quarter. For South Korea's Samsung, smartphone sales were a bright spot in the first quarter as overall phone sales declined and other electronics were weak. The company is embroiled in patent litigation with Apple. • Verizon Wireless: winner. The No. 1 U.S. cellphone carrier posted a jump in new contract-signing customers — the more profitable kind — after it introduced its version of the iPhone on Feb. 10, which ended AT&T Inc.'s exclusive grip on the device in the U.S. (Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.) • AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp: mixed. Verizon's new subscribers came at the expense of AT&T and Sprint Nextel Corp. But neither carrier saw signs of current customers moving to Verizon for the sake of the iPhone. Rather, it seems customers weighing between carriers were more likely to go to Verizon because of the iPhone. AT&T appeared to be splitting new iPhone customers evenly with Verizon Wireless. Sprint lost lucrative contract customers in the quarter, but continued its long turnaround by signing up a record number of people on cheaper, contract-free plans.