web site freezes My computer with virus and 2 trojans
My wife was on a site last night and all of a sudden she got a full screen window replace the page . It was identical to a PC windows my computer page .
As well it had a safari drop down box that said htto:// scan 4live.com
serious security threats ........... Click OK to start downloading software update.
I could not close that window at all.
There was a second window that showed the following
IM.win32 Faker.a
virus. win32Faker.a
Trojan. psw.bat cunter
I could not back out or do nothing other than click ok.
I did not and had to force quit my iMac.
What is this all about and how can this happen to a Apple computer.?
Thanks
It is a variation on a popup window. Invariably if one were to click the "OK" button a download would begin. On the Mac it would simply sit in your download folder until you deleted it. On a PC it would likely execute and start doing fun things. It's known as "scareware" because it attempts to convince you that all hell is about to break loose unless you buy their wonderful product.
I ran into this when some ads from a small company spawned flash-based crap ads all over my screen. I waited a few minutes after force-quitting the browser before revisiting the site so that I wouldn't get the same ad. Didn't happen again.
If it happens again you can press the Command-Option-Escape buttons at the same time and choose to force-quit your browser (which it seems is what you did). The messages should instantly go away. In 10.5.x it may take a few seconds for this to happen.
The biggest giveaway to this sort of scam is in your second line, "It was identical to a PC windows my computer page." Any actual application on your computer will look like an OSX window. What you received was a mockup meant to scare someone into clicking and getting infected. Basically it's an annoyance (*) and isn't going to do anything other than interrupt your day.
(* And before anyone says it: Yes, I know Mac OSX *could* get infected in the future by something that hasn't been invented yet. The Earth could also be hit by an as yet undiscovered meteor. Not going to stay under the bed forever because of that either. ^_^ )
Also, obviously, Windows viruses are not compatible with Mac OSX. Which is why it wasn't a threat, but also like Orion said, just trying to spook you.
Think of it as a bad dream.
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Also, obviously, Windows viruses are not compatible with Mac OSX. Which is why it wasn't a threat, but also like Orion said, just trying to spook you.
Think of it as a bad dream.
Not True,
Some Virus ARE Compatible with OSX and Windows. Just there hidden and rare.
Just Remember, just because you use a OSX doesn't mean you can't harm your computer.
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I've always known that while Macs have better virus protection than Windoze PCs, they're not immune. Common misconception.
But I didn't know that.
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"See? Gay marriage, a single-payer health-care system, and moves toward decriminalizing pot won't cause the country to implode. They're doing all of that and more up in Canada, for Christ's sake, and the sky hasn't fallen."
^^^
With a few rare examples, none of which propagate in the "real world" - there are no viruses for OSX because of the grevious difficulties in getting OSX to arbitrarily execute code. (In most cases, the techniques used to force a state of arbitrary code execution ends up causing OSX to go into kernel panic mode, and viruses don't do well when the system is shut down with the GMLSOCK [the Grey Multi-Language Screen Of Crashed Kernel].)
What is more common is socially engineered methods of enticing people to download and run some kind of trojan. And even if it downloads - OSX will ask for a Password when it runs the install routine. Some examples are sites that say you have to have some kind of special video "codec". The vast majority of Mac users will be wise to this - most people have Perian or appropriate codecs downloaded direct from developer sites, and the core libraries of OSX are particularly rich when it comes to driver/codec/whatever support.
Some, especially recent converts from Windoze, are more used to a regimen of needing such downloads on a fairly constant basis - so they can be tricked into downloading the "needed codec" (or whatever), running it and entering the password.
OSX even has a "feature" where, even if you have not set a password, even on an Administrator account, the Installer will still pop up and squawk, prompting you to hit Enter in the blank password bar then OKing the install.
The OP has found just such a thing - a socially engineered site that causes a user to download some kind of payload. Now, if the user was really, really wanting to use the codec (or whatever) - it's there, ready for fingerpoking.
Of course, not using the Administrator's Account for everything under the sun - and actually enforcing real User Account logins, and regulated use of software eliminates even these threats, well, unless the Administrator is wont of opening every installer for no good reason.
It's no misconception - OSX is far more secure, so long as a User doesn't bend to every website that dispenses silliness like fake codecs, fake drivers, fake audio formats. A little Googling, and a few good pointers to authentic sites like Apple.Com can go a long way in keeping things nice.
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Thanks for the explanation, EvanPitts.
I've always been wise about the "need codec" thing; I've always been wise, period, when it comes to curious computer goings-on. And my wife and all my family are wise enough to ask me at every turn.
__________________
Quote:
"See? Gay marriage, a single-payer health-care system, and moves toward decriminalizing pot won't cause the country to implode. They're doing all of that and more up in Canada, for Christ's sake, and the sky hasn't fallen."
Good evening all,
Well I am assuming that it froze the computer as I was unable to do anything. Even when I shut the power off with the power button and turned it back on it would immediately show that same window again. The only way was to shut down from the apple icon on the top screen. I could not even shut the Safari window.
With my basic knowledge I just do not understand how it could disable my computer.
Well it was sure interesting, hope nothing happened to my computer.
Have a great night and thanks for the education.
S.B.
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