Yahoo has issued the following statement about their recent ad malware debacle:
At Yahoo, we take the safety and privacy of our users seriously. From December 31 to January 3 on our European sites, we served some advertisements that did not meet our editorial guidelines — specifically, they spread malware. On January 3, we removed these advertisements from our European sites. Users in North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America were not served these advertisements and were not affected. Additionally, users using Macs and mobile devices were not affected.
We will continue to monitor and block any advertisements being used for this activity. We will post more information for our users shortly.
Source: Yahoo
MacDailyNews Take: The Microsoft Tax exacts yet another payment from the Windows PC sufferers.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
The Microsoft Tax: Malicious worm on Skype lets hackers hold Windows PCs for ransom; Macintosh unaffected – October 10, 2012
The Microsoft Tax: Critical Windows flaw affects millions of high-value PCs with self-replicating attacks – March 13, 2012
The Microsoft Tax: Virus infects Windows PC control systems of US Predator and Reaper drones – October 8, 2011
The Microsoft Tax: ‘Indestructible’ botnet attacks millions of Windows PCs; Macintosh unaffected – July 1, 2011
The Microsoft tax: Stuxnet computer worm infects Microsoft’s porous Windows OS; Mac unaffected – September 27, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: New undetectable Windows trojan empties bank accounts worldwide; Mac unaffected – August 11, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: Windows zero-day flaw exposes users to code execution attack; Mac unaffected – August 09, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: Critical flaw lets hackers take remote control of Windows PCs; Mac unaffected – August 07, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: New attack bypasses every Windows XP security product tested; Mac unaffected – May 11, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: McAfee correctly identifies Windows as malware; Macintosh unaffected – April 21, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: DNS Windows PC Trojan poses as iPhone unlock utility; Mac and iPhone unaffected – April 15, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: 1-in-10 Windows PCs still vulnerable to Conficker worm; Macintosh unaffected – April 08, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: 74,000 Windows PCs in 2,500 companies attacked globally; Mac users unaffected – February 18, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: Widespread attacks exploit Internet Explorer flaw; Macintosh unaffected – January 22, 2010
The Microsoft Tax: Windows 7 zero-day flaw enables attackers to cripple PCs; Macintosh unaffected – November 16, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Windows 7 flaw allows attackers to remotely crash PCs; Macintosh unaffected – November 12, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Windows virus delivers child porn to PCs, users go to jail; Mac users unaffected – November 09, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Worms infest Windows PCs worldwide; Mac users unaffected – November 02, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Banking Trojan horse steals money from Windows sufferers; Mac users unaffected – September 30, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Serious Windows security flaw lets hackers to take over PCs; Macintosh unaffected – July 07, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Windows Conficker worm hits hospital devices; Macintosh unaffected – April 29, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Conficker virus begins to attack Windows PCs; Macintosh unaffected – April 27, 2009
The Microsoft Tax: Conficker’s estimated economic cost: $9.1 billion – April 24, 2009
#GetAMac
At least this time, it is clearly stated that Macs weren’t affected. Usually we get blanket statements almost implying that all platforms are affected.
Are they saying that the malware affected Linux users? Or were they trying to weasel out of saying that it only affected Windows?
Linux doesn’t exist. /s
“Macintosh unaffected.”
2 words that should almost always be a part of any headline about malware, etc., but seldom are.
In the news today – Macs are safer – More news at 11, but it’ll still be the same. Some are reporting that they’re seriously considering moving to Apple’s Macintosh, when asked why, they responded that, it looks like the Macintosh is safer.
So, the Mac is safer?
Yes.
Okay.
… (cue the crickets) …
So is it still safer?
Yes.
[… and etcetera]
Send in a Chinese ice-breaker to help.
> we served some advertisements that did not meet our editorial guidelines — specifically, they spread **Windows** malware
ftfy
Mac usage is irrelevant hence no one targets them. Stay tuned for a massive breach via iOS as the latter is relevant. Too easy to sit and sing like a self righteous canary like many people who post on here including MDN proper.
Malware has always been focused on Windows as 1.4 billion machines can be infected. 80 million Mac users does not warrant the effort for Malware to target this tiny amount of machines.
Written on my MBM Pro 15 RD via Safari. 🙂
“Security through obscurity”? Seriously? Then how do you explain the malware for people who jailbroke their iOS devices with Linux? Must be trillions of those people around…
Security through obscurity?
About as valid as “The solution to pollution is dilution.”
Ever heard of the Witty Worm, Jim?
Witty TOTALLY infected a world-wide susceptible population of just 12,000 systems in 45 minutes. Obscurity didn’t help those victims…
Try another BS argument the next time…
SHBAM!
Get A Mac. PERIOD!
IT doofuses still pushing the old Security through obscurity myth is one of the main reasons why windows will never be fixed and remains so beleaguered.
The simple answer is Windows is targeted by malware because it’s so full of holes and vulnerabilities that it needs to be patched every frikkin’ tuesday.
When the internet first became popular there was great stuff online. You could for example go to youtube and watch a video that was uploaded.
These days, with so many people using it businesses are inserting ads everywhere. Watching a youtube video now means having to be subjected to an add or part of one before watching your video.
Anyone have a screen shot of what MDN looked like say 10 years ago compared to now? Adds litter this site without add blockers.
I see the net a bit like a highway. When the highway was first put in it was great to drive along and see the country side. These days you have to look for the country side between the ads. The ads themselves not only allow malware to propagate, they have in essence become the malware.
I’m certain it’s because the shoes are an outright embarrassment.
This article reminds me of another irrelevant story — A large palm tree collapses into a watering hole in the Sahara. Homeowners on the banks of the Amazon River unaffected.