HT4651 new3d enApple has detailed what changes have been made in the latest Mac OS X Snow Leopard Security update that was released earlier today. Besides adding specific detection for the "Mac Defender" malware, Apple has added a daily update to this database.

Apple maintains a list of known malicious software that is used during the safe download check to determine if a file contains malicious software. The list is stored locally, and with Security Update 2011-003 is updated daily by a background process.

This means that Apple will be able to push out profiles for newly found malware without requiring a new software update.

Users can opt-out of this daily download if they choose.

Top Rated Comments

firestarter Avatar
184 months ago
They clearly had this waiting in the wings. Good move, Apple.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cougarcat Avatar
184 months ago
OS X now has an inbuilt antivirus. The day has come.

It's had anti-malware support since 10.6.0 This just makes updating it automatic.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spanky Deluxe Avatar
184 months ago
Ah so that's what the new request was that Little Snitch picked up on post updating. Great to know that Apple is staying on top of things.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Undecided Avatar
184 months ago
There's nothing wrong with open safe files. Even with this whole malware thing, even though it launches the installer, it's trapped in the installer and won't install unless you allow it.

You know what this thing is? An IQ test.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FroMann Avatar
184 months ago
Better than downloading a third party anti virus application.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NAG Avatar
184 months ago
It's had anti-malware support since 10.6.0 This just makes updating it automatic.

The auto updating kind of makes the feature though since it allows Apple to decouple immediate security threats from their normal update cycle.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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