There is another piece of malware targeting Mac users called SabPub, but before you panic, there’s something you should know.
If you installed Apple’s latest Java updates, you’re safe from Flashback and the new SabPub malware. The updates are available through the Apple’s built-in Software Update system in Mac OS X.
Flashback had infected 600,000 Macs, but that number has decreased to about 140,000, according to Symantec. The security company says they expected greater decreases, but you can’t force people to update their computers.
Ultimately, Apple has to rely on its users to check for updates and apply the latest software when they’re available.
Actually, by the time this posted, it’s under 100,000 now. 140,000 was 2 days ago.
I don’t understand why Apple doesn’t allow automatic silent updates like Microsoft does on Windows. There are just too many users postponing updates, i.e. canceling them until Software Update pops up again, which may not be until another week. Installing updates on shutdown like Windows does really increases chances that updates are installed quickly.
Of course this also requires that security updates are timely available. Apple has a long history of being really slow updating third-party components on OS X, the recent Java update being a prime example.
You forgot “buy a new computer” as one of the things Apple must rely on its users to do if they expect such exploits to be eradicated completely.
Actually, aren’t we all guilty of pushing off the Software Update from time to time? I know I am. I might have 40+ tabs open in Safari and hell no I don’t want to restart right now, thank you very much….
Auto-update and then forcing users to reboot, which takes sometimes several minutes, if update needs to be applied right before and/or after the reboot, is 1 most annoying feature of Vista/7.
Having malware because you didn’t update it arguably more irritating.
I’m not saying Apple replicate how Windows does the warnings, because they can indeed be annoying.