I don't believe that an executable program can be installed on a MAC without the owner's tacit permission.

Is this not the case?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Apparently not

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9217061/Newest_MacDefender_scareware_installs_without_a_password?source=CTWNLE_nlt_pm_2011-05-25

__________________
KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

From the above link:
"Unlike the previous variants, no administrator password is required to install the downloader," said James. "People will still see an installer screen -- [the attackers] haven't gotten to the point where they're completely avoiding that yet -- but all one needs to do to install is click 'OK' a couple of times. So it's one less hurdle."

That is true, the MacDefender malware making the rounds needs to be actively installed by the user. It is a fake antivirus software that cons the user into downloading and installing it by putting up a website popup that tells then they have a virus. It's not virus, but it is malware. Never download anything from unknown sites, any computer is susceptible to malware that you allow to be installed.

This is from the page Apple has up on it. Looks pretty harmless.

Resolution
How to avoid installing this malware

If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.

In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.

Go into the Downloads folder or your preferred download location.
Drag the installer to the Trash.
Empty the Trash.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4650

The very worst it will do is install a program that tells you you have a virus and it needs your credit card to continue. Anyone who'd fall for a phish this obvious deserves it.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Mac please. MAC is something else.

__________________
You're a daisy if you do.
__________________________________
84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

^^ That sounds right. The other precaution (that I don't bother with) is to normally run a "standard" user account, not as an "administrator." This will force a couple of extra steps to download anything; a good precaution for kid,s computers.

I logon as su. It sure makes things interesting.

I did for a while, but it was a PITA. I have my kids' accounts on our main desktop set up as standard, but they are running as admin's on their own macbooks. It's mostly a matter of not being stupid.

Again, I did not post this as a Brag, but a warning.
I have NEVER believed MACs were immune (anyone that does has to use TP to wipe their nose), just off the radar.
That is changing and I fear faster than the MAC lovers believe.

It still requires some social engineering, but remember most of the
major corporate hacks (that big e-mail one recently) used some social engineering to at least get started.

And despite what the MAC zealots say, properly configured Windows (even XP) is at least at par with the MAC as far as security is concerned.

__________________
KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

x2

My apologies, I did not realize what you meant initially, We Windoz users are slow sometimes

I will correct it from now on.

__________________
KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

Mc Mac MAC attack!

Well, Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I was getting a something called "Mac Protector", same routine. It started a scan on it's own, but didn't install. I used "CleanMyMac" to remove the application. This happened only on safari, Firefox doesn't have such issues.

An annoying malware attempt on Macs.

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83 SD

84 CD