Mac users targeted by porn site malware
Friday, June 12, 2009
A web security firm has spotted two new malware attacks that target Mac OS X and Windows users who visit a website that presents itself as a portal for porn videos.
The malware comes as a pop-up that tells users they need to download a plug-in to watch the videos. Users who click on it download the malware.
Sohpos said on its blog yesterday that it spotted two versions of this type of malware - one specifically designed for Mac OS X. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, said Mac users need to be aware that they are not immune from the threat.
"Some Mac users may have thought that it was safe to surf for porn on their Apple Mac, but they were wrong," he said.
The booby-trapped websites determine if the victim's web browser is running on Windows or Mac OS X and serve up malware specifically designed for the visitor's operating system, Culey said.
Porn sites seem to be a favorite among cybercriminals for spreading malware. Last month, a security firm found close to 5,000 videos on YouTube with malicious links in the comments offering to take users to porn sites that contained malware.
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