This has got to be the scariest virus I’ve seen.
The BlackHole RAT (Remote Access Trojan) is self proclaimed to be in “beta”.
According to a Sophos blog post authored by Chester Wisniewski, the Trojan’s basic functionality includes:
- Placing text files on the desktop
- Sending a restart, shutdown or sleep command
- Running arbitrary shell commands
- Placing a full screen window with a message that only allows you to click reboot
- Sending URLs to the client to open a website
- Popping up a fake “Administrator Password” window to phish the target
Sounds lovely doesn’t it?
Maybe calling it the scariest virus isn’t quite right. Perhaps creepiest is the right word:
In its present form, a message will also pop up next to the reboot command: “I am a Trojan Horse, so i have infected your Mac Computer,” it says. “I know, most people think Macs can’t be infected, but look, you ARE Infected! I have full controll over your Computer and i can do everything I want, and you can do nothing to prevent it. So, Im a very new Virus, under Development, so there will be much more functions when im finished.”
Did Apple lay-off a bunch of people?
Are anti-virus companies trying to tap into the Mac market?
Whatever the case may be, be careful out there. After all, the easiest way to get this tasty treat on your Mac is by downloading pirated software.
Ahem.
[via PCMAG]
Nick says
Glad I have a pc 🙂
Eric Dye says
Famous last words.
BenJPickett says
Mac has always had viruses (it is a UNIX based OS after all). They just haven’t been as prevalent as those for PC. It boils down to simple market share. What has the biggest pay off? Writing code to steal from and harm almost 70% of computers or a little fewer than 20% of computers? As market share increases for Mac, they will see more viruses and other malicious software and code written to accommodate those users. Safari is living proof with as notorious as it is for JavaScript exploits.
This RAT, while nothing new, is a very fine example of why all computers need AV software.
You don’t just have to be a pirate to get infected. There will always be another carrier, method or even another virus that gets distributed through more common channels. It is important to note, even for Windows, the vast majority of Viruses come through pirating.
The only real way to protect your self is to not have a computer. Stuxnet was proof not having internet isn’t good enough.
Have any good anti-virus recommendations for Mac?
Eric Dye says
Ben. Seriously. You’re comment is dripping in awesomeness.
Sounds like a good post: Mac AntiVirus.
I’m not a fan of Norton, etc …, so let me see what I can drum up.
😉