One in every five Mac computers is harbouring some kind of malware, a new study from the experts at Sophos has revealed.

Sophos has revealed a disturbingly high level of malware on Mac computers - with both Windows and Mac threats being discovered.

A 100,000 strong snapshot of the millions of Mac computers which have recently downloaded Sophos's free Mac anti-virus software , revealed that 20% of Mac computers were carrying one or more instances of Windows malware.

Although Windows malware on Macs won't cause symptoms (unless users also run Windows on their computer), it can still be spread to others.

More disturbingly, Sophos's analysis also shows that 2.7% (one in 36) of Macs which downloaded the free anti-virus product were found to be infected by Mac OS X malware.

Fake anti-virus attacks, which scare users into handing over their credit card details or installing unsafe software, and the recent 600,000 strong Flashback botnet (called Flshplyr by Sophos security products) dominate the chart of Mac-based threats.

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"Just a stupid wallpaper," commenter Nicole King wrote about an Apple app named Lock My Screen, after finding out that the app does nothing of the kind.

And Nicole is just one of 1,000+ others who fell for the name, assuming that the app would provide the pattern unlocking swipe security feature that prevents Android phones from butt-dialing or from being accessed by thieves or busybodies.

Any Android user who's swiped their device-unlock pattern in front of an iOS user will likely tell you that this particular security feature makes our Apple brethren a tad green with envy.

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Source: nakedsecurity.sophos.com - 23rd April 2012

You know that feeling when you're pretty sure your Windows machine *might* be infected, but your anti-virus finds nothing?

Or worse, your anti-virus does detect malware, but the instructions to disinfect and rid your system of the malware are so complicated that you want to pull out your hair?

Well, Sophos has just released its Virus Removal Tool . Designed to be child's play to use, it detects and, more importantly, disinfects all those nasty viruses, spyware, rootkits and even fake anti-virus with its flagship industrial-strength anti-virus.

Best of all it is free, and for Naked Security readers, there are no details to enter before you can download and use it.

Actually, really best of all, there is no need to remove existing anti-virus that is already installed.

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by Carole Theriault on April 11, 2012

We have known for some time that the myth peddled by Apple salesmen that Mac’s don’t get viruses is exactly that … a myth!

The last few days have seen several new threats against Macs reported by the security community and users should be careful not to have a false sense of security.

For more information on the recent threats to Apple users see the article links below.

Mac botnets gaining traction using drive-by Java exploit. Sophos security advisory 5th April 2012

Apple patches Java hole that was being used to compromise Mac users. Sophos security advisory 4th April 2012

Mac malware exploits unpatched drive-by Java vulnerability. Sophos security advisory 3rd April 2012

Mac backdoor Trojan embedded inside boobytrapped Word documents. Sophos security advisory 20th March 2012

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