ZDNet's coverage of the latest Mac Developer malware includes a full video of what it looks like to get infected by Mac Defender:

As Macenstein notes, it's easy to imagine someone getting tricked by the process.

After watching this I suppose I could see how someone (who is fairly trusting, not all that tech savvy, and easily scared) could be tricked into letting this install on their system, so I’m not AS “what kind of idiot got this?” as I once was.

Apple has recently release a software update that addresses at least some variants of Mac Defender, but users should be cautious as new versions seem to be popping up already.

Ed Bott also shows what happens when Mac OS X detects the dangerous download:

But even with Apple's protection, it's a confusing mess of windows and dialog boxes that could leave the user uncertain what to trust.

Top Rated Comments

David Ormesher Avatar
186 months ago
I haven't been paying THAT close attention to this story, but I didn't realize that you had to be completely naive and gullible (no offense to any reading this that fell for it) to get nailed. I thought it happened more in the background. It looks like you pretty much have to open up the door to your computer and invite the hacker in and offer him or her a beer.

Am I understanding this right? You have to fairly pro-actively install this on your computer, it doesn't happen behind the scenes like Microshaft products do?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DanMan93 Avatar
186 months ago
I would be EXTREMELY LIVID if Apple arbitrarily decided to close all of my Safari windows simply because I randomly encountered a stupid hack social engineering trojan. (FYI, at this particular instant I have over 50 active web page tabs open in 14 Safari windows and this has been a slow night.)

Well I guess closing all windows would be a bit extreme, but they could make use of Apples sandboxing technology and close just the tab that the download started in. That sounds a bit more reasonable, no?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheAppleDragon Avatar
186 months ago
To think, everyone freaked out over this. This has been going on for a few years now, and each time a news article pops up about it, the "Macs better watch out now!", "the Macs aren't so safe now!", "Look who's got viruses now!". It's a bunch of hype. :p

Quite amusing and annoying at the same time.

Move along folks, this ain't nothing new yet.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GGJstudios Avatar
186 months ago
I haven't been paying THAT close attention to this story, but I didn't realize that you had to be completely naive and gullible (no offense to any reading this that fell for it) to get nailed. I thought it happened more in the background. It looks like you pretty much have to open up the door to your computer and invite the hacker in and offer him or her a beer.

Am I understanding this right? You have to fairly pro-actively install this on your computer, it doesn't happen behind the scenes like Microshaft products do?
Yes, you're understanding it right. As is the case with 100% of all Mac OS X malware that exists in the wild (which is only a handful of trojans), nothing can infect your Mac unless you deliberately, intentionally, actively install it.
Good thing I use Firefox :)
That makes no difference, since this lame threat is not browser-specific.
OS X systems rarely have anti-viruses installed on them, and the Mac Defender was able to slip through OS X's rather dire malware detecting system and infect systems.
Antivirus software isn't required to defeat this threat. It can be easily thwarted by an informed, careful user.
I know OS X cannot get a true virus,
False. Mac OS X is not immune to viruses. There just aren't any in the wild.
Wow, you have to hit INSTALL to get infected? From how it was reported, it sounded like it was some sort of automatic thing. Sure, it doesn't require a password to install, but after seeing this I'd say you really DO need to be an idiot to install this.
This is the case with all malware that exists in the wild. None of it can affect Mac OS X unless the user actively installs it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the Rebel Avatar
186 months ago
Good thing I use Firefox :)

Why do people think that Firefox is immune to this? It is not.

The flaw is in the user.

Whether using Safari or Firefox, flawed users can easily install the MacDefender malware.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
milo Avatar
186 months ago
Wow, you have to hit INSTALL to get infected? From how it was reported, it sounded like it was some sort of automatic thing. Sure, it doesn't require a password to install, but after seeing this I'd say you really DO need to be an idiot to install this.

This isn't a virus or anything close to it, it's much more like a phishing email where the user is foolish enough to hand over the keys. It's great that Apple is putting in protection for this, but these sorts of threats will always be around and the solution is for people to have the common sense to not click INSTALL on an app that they didn't ask to download and that they've never heard of.

Honestly, seeing this video makes me feel like macs are MORE secure.

Although Apple could make the warning/remove interface less confusing. I'd almost say they should just block it automatically instead of giving the user a choice, and block the website as well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 17's 'Awe Dropping' Accessories

Friday August 29, 2025 8:12 am PDT by
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...