New Mac Malware threats

I was contacted yesterday by a client whose Mac was compromised and her identity was stolen.  She asked me to check her Windows computer at work since she had used the Mac via GotoMyPC to access it remotely from her home.

We have anti-virus software installed on all the workstations at her office and the server, however it is always good to cross check with a top notch program like Malwarebytes which we can run manually when needed. Fortunately the workstation and SBS 2003 server were both clean, unfortunately for Mac users, they can no longer sit back smugly because of the erroneous perception that  IOS is invulnerable.  It wasn't a target before because it was too small of a market for hackers to target.  Today is a different story, as of January 2013 Apple's OS X has gained 7.08% and iOS has 60.56% of the Mobile Operating System market (as per Wikipedia), and there are new malware threats emerging every week targeting Mac users.

http://www.techspot.com/news/51689-new-mac-virus-skirts-gatekeeper-initiates-creepy-reverse-shell-connection.html

http://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/new-targeted-attack-on-tibetan-activists-using-os-x-discovered/

http://blogs.computerworld.com/malware-and-vulnerabilities/21807/yes-mac-malware-real-even-apple-hacked-itbwcw

Which brings me to this, What anti-virus software is available for MAC users?

Intego is at the forefront of tracking and reporting new MAC malware threats and apparently has a very good product.  Their Mac Internet Security 2013 Standard is available at $37.48 online.

If you use a Mac you have already made an investment in hardware and you need to protect it to prevent what happened to my client which required wiping the system clean and re-installing everything.  Most importantly you can prevent the trouble and time to reclaim your identity.

The link below ranks the top 5 Mac anti-virus programs.  If you use a Mac and it is unprotected you owe it to yourself to at least check out what is available.

http://www.technewsdaily.com/best-mac-antivirus-software/

and Thanks for reading!

Microsoft is taking sign-ups for Windows 8 Pro upgrade

08/22/2012 - As of Monday 08/20/2012 Microsoft started accepting sign-ups for the $15 Windows 8 upgrade. Anyone who purchased a new PC on 06/02/2012 or later is eligible for the offer. To register for the offer visit, WindowsUpgradeOffer.

The $14.95 upgrade will be available in the form of a download starting October 26, the official release date of Windows 8 and Microsoft's Surface Tablet.

If you have registered, you will be sent an email containing a link to an upgrade wizard which will check for compatibility and then guide you through the download/upgrade process. Microsoft will offer a DVD for an additional fee, plus shipping any applicable taxes/fees.

I would recommend that users download and create their own DVD or USB installation media rather than use the online upgrade.

To register for the $14.95 upgrade you will need the following:

PC Model Number 
Where/vendor where you bought it and on what date 
Valid phone number and e-mail 

You may need your Windows key, either on the side of your computer or on the package that your Windows installation media came in.

A plus for Windows Home Premium users is that all PCs will be upgraded to Windows 8 Pro version regardless of which Windows version is installed. The exception to this is computers running Windows 7 starter version which is not eligible for the upgrade.

To find out more about Windows 8 please visit the Microsoft Windows page where you can find out more and watch a MP4 presentation and check out other offers.  Click here to visit -> Windows 8 

To explore other opinions and info about Windows 8 please enjoy these links.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/261170/windows_8_15_upgrade_offer_faqs_for_recent_pc_buyers.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/256650/windows_8_upgrades_cost_15_but_you_should_wait.html#tk.mod_stln 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/259917/microsoft_surface_tablet_your_next_windows_pc.html 


Microsoft Office 2010 discounted 15%. 
Microsoft has discounted Office 2010 15%, Home and Student version available as low as $119.99 (1 PC), $127.49 (up to 3 PCs).
 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/home-and-student?WT%2Emc%5Fid=ODC%5FenUS%5FQ1offer%5FMainHP%5FTreatment#fbid=9J2xaOUDQDf


Finally a tale of caution and prevention to the Apple Fans.

http://www.zdnet.com/lessons-learned-from-the-recent-find-my-mac-remote-wipe-attack-7000002847/

DFORCE Xtreme computers (Windows 8 Ready)