Following the emergence of a new variant of the MACDefender trojan, Apple has automatically updated its internal Mac OS X malware definitions.
Apple’s latest Mac OS X security update (Security Update 2011-003 (Snow Leopard)) included new functionality that allows Mac OS X’s anti-malware definition file to update itself without users having to manually download and install a security update.
This definition file update detects the latest variant, which Apple calls “OSX.MacDefender.C,” and alerts Mac OS X users to the presence of the new variant.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
MACDefender trojan variant bypasses Mac OS X anti-malware software – June 1, 2011
Apple releases Security Update 2011-003 (Snow Leopard); blocks and removes MACDefender trojan – May 31, 2011
Apple: How to avoid or remove MACDefender malware (permanent fix coming in Mac OS X update) – May 24, 2011
MACDefender trojan protection and removal guide – May 20, 2011
Apple investigating ‘MACDefender’ trojan – May 19, 2011
Apple malware: 6 years of crying wolf – May 6, 2011
Is Mac under a virus attack? No. – May 4, 2011
Intego: MACDefender rogue anti-malware program attacks Macs via SEO poisoning – May 2, 2011