Mac spyware is something that luckily we Mac users very seldom have to deal with but we are never truly safe.
Though Mac is a high quality product it seems that we need to start taking measures to prevent getting a virus and head off the invasion of Mac spyware.
In the past the Mac operating system was seldom the target of those who create malicious software and viruses because we made up such a small part of the computer savvy consumer base.
Lets face it, though in the opinion of many a Mac is a superior product when compared to the PC we still only make up about 10% of the computer market.
Mac Spyware and How to Protect your Mac Until recently Mac users lived in the perfect little bubble, thinking themselves safe from most of the problems that were experienced by their PC using friends, especially viruses and spyware.
With the recent upswing in spyware and other malicious software that bubble has been popped.
In June of 2011 a new piece of spyware called "OSX/OpinionSpy" began attacking the Mac computer platform.
In most cases the spyware is distributed by piggybacking on free media products, specifically free screensavers and media conversion packages.
The two main culprits in the distribution of this spyware seems to be a company that gives away screensavers called 7art and an app called "Mishinc FLV to MP3.
" These products were discovered on popular online sites such as MacUpdate, Softpedia, and VersionTrackder.
These sites have pulled the products from their virtual shelves since then.
This Spyware can run as root which allows complete access and can modify all files, scan your entire computer, open a back door, analyze data being transferred and much more.
It cannot be removed by killing it and will automatically relaunch itself when you try.
Deleting the original program will not eliminate the spyware either.
Signs of infection by OSX/OpinionSpy include sudden sluggish performance, being asked for your name or other personal information, prompting to take surveys or complete forms, computer freezing and requiring a reboot, and more.
How to Remove Mac Spyware Quickly and Easily Since killing the program or completely removing the original program has no effect upon the spyware you are going to need a program designed to keep your Mac running at peak efficiency and deal with malicious programs and security threats.
There are number of these programs on the market including MacKeeper, ClamXav, and iAntiVirus.
Out of the three I recommend MacKeeper.
The others might help remove Mac Spyware but only MacKeeper is a 16 in 1 product.
That's right, 16 must have Mac utilities for the price of 1.
At one time owning a Mac meant that you didn't have to worry about many of the problems that our PC using friends have to suffer through but unfortunately we are no longer safe.
To keep your computer safe from Mac Spyware you are going to have to take steps prevent infection by malicious software and in my opinion nothing is better than MacKeeper.
Though Mac is a high quality product it seems that we need to start taking measures to prevent getting a virus and head off the invasion of Mac spyware.
In the past the Mac operating system was seldom the target of those who create malicious software and viruses because we made up such a small part of the computer savvy consumer base.
Lets face it, though in the opinion of many a Mac is a superior product when compared to the PC we still only make up about 10% of the computer market.
Mac Spyware and How to Protect your Mac Until recently Mac users lived in the perfect little bubble, thinking themselves safe from most of the problems that were experienced by their PC using friends, especially viruses and spyware.
With the recent upswing in spyware and other malicious software that bubble has been popped.
In June of 2011 a new piece of spyware called "OSX/OpinionSpy" began attacking the Mac computer platform.
In most cases the spyware is distributed by piggybacking on free media products, specifically free screensavers and media conversion packages.
The two main culprits in the distribution of this spyware seems to be a company that gives away screensavers called 7art and an app called "Mishinc FLV to MP3.
" These products were discovered on popular online sites such as MacUpdate, Softpedia, and VersionTrackder.
These sites have pulled the products from their virtual shelves since then.
This Spyware can run as root which allows complete access and can modify all files, scan your entire computer, open a back door, analyze data being transferred and much more.
It cannot be removed by killing it and will automatically relaunch itself when you try.
Deleting the original program will not eliminate the spyware either.
Signs of infection by OSX/OpinionSpy include sudden sluggish performance, being asked for your name or other personal information, prompting to take surveys or complete forms, computer freezing and requiring a reboot, and more.
How to Remove Mac Spyware Quickly and Easily Since killing the program or completely removing the original program has no effect upon the spyware you are going to need a program designed to keep your Mac running at peak efficiency and deal with malicious programs and security threats.
There are number of these programs on the market including MacKeeper, ClamXav, and iAntiVirus.
Out of the three I recommend MacKeeper.
The others might help remove Mac Spyware but only MacKeeper is a 16 in 1 product.
That's right, 16 must have Mac utilities for the price of 1.
At one time owning a Mac meant that you didn't have to worry about many of the problems that our PC using friends have to suffer through but unfortunately we are no longer safe.
To keep your computer safe from Mac Spyware you are going to have to take steps prevent infection by malicious software and in my opinion nothing is better than MacKeeper.
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