Apple is taking steps to address the Java vulnerabilities behind the Flashback Trojan outbreak. But Java isn't the only attack vector for OS X -- and Apple users can no longer cling to the belief that Macs are virtually immune to malware.. Are Macs as insecure as PCs? It's a notion that once was unthinkable, but increasingly is being said out loud. Recently, Mac OS X users have been at risk thanks to a Java-based attack vector. The Flashback malware specifically targeted OS X, and took advantage of the fact that Apple had not yet updated its users to a fully patched version of Java. More than half a million Macs were infected by the malware, which turned the victimized machines into a remote-controlled botnet. The link for this article located at eSecurity Planet is no longer available. . Investigating Mac security: Do Macs face the same level of threats as Windows machines?. Mac Security, Flashback Trojan, Apple Malware. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
VMware has advised of a total of 93 vulnerabilities in several of its products, including ESX Server, Server, VirtualCenter and vCenter. Most of the vulnerabilities are in Java, Tomcat and the kernel and have been known for some time. Some of them can be exploited to compromise a system, however, the advisory notes that flaws in the Service Console kernel and JRE can only be exploited when an attacker has access to the Service Console network. . Currently, updates have only been released for some of the affected products, such as ESX 4.0 and vCenter 4.0. According to VMware, security updates for the other products are pending completion . The link for this article located at H Security is no longer available. . VMware identifies 93 security flaws in multiple products; patches released for certain impacted applications.. VMware Vulnerabilities, Java Issues, Kernel Security, Software Exploits. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
Some useful citizen has created an installer that will nail IE with spyware, even if a surfer is using Firefox (or another alternative browser) or has blocked access to the malicious site in IE beforehand. The technique allows a raft of spyware to be served up to Windows users in spite of any security measures that might be in place. Christopher Boyd, a security researchers at Vitalsecurity.org, said the malware installer was capable of working on a range of browsers with native Java support. "The spyware installer is a Java applet powered by the Sun Java Runtime Environment, which allows them to whack most browsers out there, including Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape and others. . In the original test, only Opera and Netcaptor didn't fall for the install but Daniel Veditz, who is the head of Mozilla security, has since confirmed to me that this will also work in Opera and Netcaptor," he explained. In the example Boyd highlights surfers looking for Neil Diamond lyrics (of all things) are served with a variety of adware and spyware packages including Internet Optimizer, sais (180 Solutions) and Avenue Media. Thereafter, if victims allow the packages to install, victims will be bombarded with pop-up ads and their computer will be reduced to a crawl. The malware doesn't install automatically but managed web security firm ScanSafe reckons the pop-up dialogue it generates is obscure enough to fool most home users. The link for this article located at theregister.co.uk is no longer available. . Uncover the tactics used by malicious installers that infiltrate web browsers, tricking unsuspecting individuals into consenting to the installation of dangerous software.. Java Exploits, Spyware Threat, Browser Vulnerability. . LinuxSecurity.com Team
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