Mac OS X is often considered to be more secure than other operating systems,like Microsoft Windows.This opinion is fairly accurate to some degree.Because OS X is based on Unix,the way it is structured makes it very difficult for hackers and virus creators to run malicious software.Nevertheless,the growing popularity of OS X Lion and the status Apple has in hacker society seemed to throw a challenge to all those who’s trying to destroy their reputation.Now,this is when you want to learn more about Mac OS X security threats.
One of the most cunning ways for attack is third-party software,like Adobe Flash.Flash requires to be updated frequently and it has never been securely programmed.Often,users don’t really pay attention to this issue and that makes it a perfect target for hackers.Recently,there have been quite few zero-day exploits,which were theoretically capable of running malicious code remotely via Flash.Always make sure to keep your computer’s version of Flash up to date.
Another significant security threat is called Flashback.G Trojan. By the way of using various flaws in Java and social engineering it installs itself on user’s system.It’s main functions are injecting codes that would capture passwords for sites like PayPal and online banking into browsers.It got to a point,where Flashback uses Twitter to communicate with it’s creators and receive instructions.You can install it simply by clicking on a supposed image file and you won’t even be able to tell whether your computer has been infected this way,so you should be really careful when opening JPEG and other image files.The good thing is,Flashback won’t install itself if it finds security software on your Mac that might be able to detect it.
Stealing credit card information or linking your Mac to a botnet – that is hackers’ primary goal.That is the reason why they’re trying so hard on getting access to your system.They do this by using vulnerabilities in software.The best and the easiest way to prevent them from harming your system is to use a good firewall and keep your OS X updated.Make sure you also have the most recent version of your browser,whether you use the Safari,Chrome or Firefox.
