Mac OS X Security Update Removes MacDefender Malware & Maintains Anti-Malware Definitions List

May 31, 2011 - 4 Comments

Mac OS X Security Update for Anti-Malware

Apple has released a Mac OS X software update labeled “Security Update 2011-003” for Mac OS X 10.6.7 that includes a native malware removal tool.

The focus of the update is on the MacDefender malware scam and its variants, now referred to as “OSX.MacDefender.A”. Once the update is installed your Mac will be scanned for instances of the malware, which will then be removed and prevented from running. From there after, a list of variants will be updated daily by Apple automatically, and if you encounter MacDefender or a variation of it, you will get a dialog warning you to move the afflicted file to the Trash.

Download Anti-Malware Security Update 2011-003

You have two options to get the anti-MacDefender update:

Apple recommends all Snow Leopard users install the security update, and it does not require a restart to install unless an infection is found. An abbreviated description of the update is as follows:

Security Update 2011-003 provides additional protection by checking for the MacDefender malware and its known variants. If MacDefender malware is found, the system will quit this malware, delete any persistent files, and correct any modifications made to configuration or login files.

Even without this software update MacDefender is easy to remove and avoid completely. Furthermore, release notes in the latest Mac OS X 10.6.8 developer build indicate that the malware protection will also be baked into the upcoming 10.6.8 update.

You can read more about this update on Apple’s Support page.

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Posted by: Matt Chan in Mac OS, News, Security

4 Comments

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  1. […] OS X, Tips & Tricks – June 2nd, 2011 – Leave a Comment The malware protecting Mac OS X Security Update will automatically download and update it’s malware definitions list from Apple, but if […]

  2. […] recent anti-malware Mac OS X security update was released that defaults to automatically downloading and maintaining an active definitions list […]

  3. Rodney says:

    @Tim,

    I have installed it on two computers, and Mail is working for me. Update is probably ok.

    Did you have Mail open when you installed the update? It is always a good idea to close all programs when installing updates.

    Log out/in. see if it works. If not, try rebooting.

  4. Tim says:

    Be careful! Just installed this, and it has killed mail, my mail program now refuses to connect even to the Mobile Me server. Something is wrong with this update!

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