The Malaysian Tech Blogger
Posts tagged Mac OSx
F-secure releases free Flashback removal script for OS X
1 year ago
The Flashback malware for OS X has been one of the largest attacks to date on OS X, which at its peak on April 6 affected an estimated 600,000 systems running OS X. While developments regarding this malware’s mode of infection and the scope of the problem have been concerning, efforts by those in theMac community are underway to tackle and remove the problem. So far, these efforts have cut the number of infected systems in half in just under five days. This effort has stemmed from the availability of instructions on how to manually detect and remove the malware, detailed analysis of the problem by F-Secure and others, and detection tools made available by security firm Dr. Web and even by those in the Apple community discussions. There have also been extensive efforts by those on the Apple Discussion forums to help people remove the malware from their systems. When the tool is run, it will notify you of the status of any Flashback malware on your system.
Extending this effort, today security company F-Secure has released a new Flashback removal tool, which will detect and repair the damage done by known variants of the Flashback malware. The tool is a free standalone AppleScript application that is separate from F-Secure’s antivirus scanner, which performs the same routines as has been outlined in current instructions for manually removing the tool and logs its findings in a file on the user’s desktop. The only difference is instead of immediately deleting the malware, it extracts it from your system and saves it in a zip archive that you can optionally send to security companies for analysis, or simply delete if desired. Even if you have followed manual instructions to remove this malware, we recommend you download and run this tool to ensure your system is free from the malware, especially if you are unfamiliar with the use of the OS X Terminal.
This new tool by F-Secure is another advancement by the Mac community against this threat that accompanies not only manual instructions and help from community members, but also swiftly updated definitions for Sophos, ClamXav, VirusBarrier, and other malware scanners for detecting the malware. On Apple’s end, even though the extent of this infection stemmed largely from Apple’s delay in issuing a patch for known Java vulnerabilities, the company finally released the patch and has further announced its own Flashback removal tool is in the works. It’s hope that these, and the continuing efforts by the Apple community, will reduce the prevalence of this infection to a minimum.
Mac OS X Mountain Lion Sneak Preview with iCloud Integration!!!
You’re about to use your Mac in all-new ways with OS X Mountain Lion. Because it’s designed with innovations from iPad and it works even better with iCloud. And that makes everything you do on the Mac smarter, easier, and even more fun. Watch the video
This is an early OS developer preview of Apple’s Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. We got a chance to check out some of the new features so you can get a quick tour of Apple’s latest big cat OS in this slideshow. Mountain Lion will be Apple’s first major OS release since iCloud came into play. Now everything from setting up a new Mac to syncing your info across iOS devices and Mac computers becomes possible when you log in with your Apple ID.
It just works. In more ways than ever. In OS X Mountain Lion, sign in once with your Apple ID and iCloud is automatically set up across your Mac.1 That means right away iCloud keeps your mail, calendars, contacts, documents, and more up to date on every device you use. So when you add, delete, or edit something on your Mac, it happens on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. And vice versa.
Mac keeps the conversation going. Messages does everything iChat does, and so much more. For starters, it comes with iMessage. And just like iMessage in iOS, it lets you send unlimited messages to anyone on a Mac or an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5. Send photos, videos, documents, and contacts — even send messages to a group. You can see when your message has been delivered and when someone’s typing a reply. Turn on read receipts, and they’ll see when you’ve read a message. With end-to-end encryption, your messages stay safe and private. And you can start a conversation on your Mac and pick it up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. So nothing is left unsaid.
Now nothing slips your mind. When you have so much to do, Reminders helps you get it done. It’s all in a list. More than one, in fact. Make as many lists as you need and easily add to them. Set due dates and you’ll get alerts as deadlines approach. Check items off your lists as you go and keep track of what you’ve completed. And to be sure you don’t forget anything, iCloud keeps your reminders up to date on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.
A feature for your thoughts. Notes in OS X Mountain Lion is designed for whatever’s on your mind. Think it up. Jot it down. Make it even more noteworthy with photos, images, and attachments. You can add, delete, and flip through your notes or do a quick search. Use the Share button to send your notes to friends or colleagues with Mail or Messages. Pin important notes to your desktop so they’re easy to get to. And take them with you everywhere. Notes works with iCloud, so when you create or edit a note on your Mac, it automatically updates on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
See what’s new with you. All in one place. Something new is always popping up somewhere on your Mac — an email, an instant message, a friend request, a calendar alert, and more. Notification Center makes it easy to stay up to speed, because there’s one place to see everything. Notification banners appear on your desktop and disappear quickly so they don’t interrupt what you’re doing. Swipe to the left, and you’ll see all your notifications in a simple, ordered list. So you’ll always know what’s up as soon as it comes up.
When you see it, share it. You’ll find the Share button in many OS X Mountain Lion apps. It’s the new, easy way to spread the word — links, photos, and videos, too. Send links from Safari. Send your notes via Mail and Messages. Post photos to Flickr. Send videos to Vimeo. And tweet just about anything.
Tweet right from your apps. OS X Mountain Lion keeps you on top of all things Twitter. Sign in once and you’re all set to start tweeting — and you don’t have to leave the app you’re in. Tweet links and photos directly from Safari, iPhoto, or Photo Booth with the new Tweet Sheet. Tweet comments and add locations. And when someone mentions you in a tweet or sends you a direct message, you’ll get a Twitter notification right then and there.
Mac gets in on the game. The Mac is about to go up against iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch — in a friendly Game Center way.2 Now it’s a bigger playing field with even more competition. Just create a Game Center account with your Apple ID. Then sign in and you’re in. Friends will find you fast, and you’ll track them down easily. Get a multiplayer game started or go up against people you don’t know. Check out leaderboards and see how your high score ranks against opponents’ scores around the world. And discover new games based on the ones you and your friends already play.
Your Mac is on TV. This new feature in Mountain Lion is made for an audience. With AirPlay Mirroring, you can stream what’s on your Mac to your HDTV via Apple TV. Show web pages and videos to friends on the couch. Share lessons with a classroom. Present to a conference room. It’s a big deal for your Mac. And for everyone around it.
A more secure Mac. Under your control. Gatekeeper in OS X Mountain Lion makes the Mac safer than ever. It helps prevent you from unknowingly downloading and installing malicious software. And it gives you control over which applications to download and run on your Mac. Now you can choose from three security options. You can download and run applications from anywhere, just as in OS X Lion. To be even safer, download and run apps from the Mac App Store and apps with a Developer ID. Or download and run only apps from the Mac App Store — the safest setting of all. Gatekeeper lets you decide which setting is best for you.
It’s a new Mac experience in China. OS X Mountain Lion brings all-new support for many popular Chinese services. And they’re easy to set up. Mail, Contacts, and Calendar work with QQ, 163, and 126. Baidu, the leading Chinese search provider, is a built-in option in Safari. The video-sharing websites Youku and Tudou are included in the new Share Sheets, so users in China can easily post videos to the web. They can also blog with Sina weibo, the popular microblogging service. And with improved text input, typing in Chinese is easier, faster, and more accurate.
Now it’s easy to set up Mail, Contacts, Calendar, video sharing, web searching, and blogging
on your Mac using many popular services in China.
