OSX / OpinionSpy: Spyware infected Mac computer screen saver

The security firm Intego Warns Mac users from spyware, which installs itself along with screen savers. The malicious software collects data, we log-in names, passwords and credit card numbers and passes them on to third parties. The windows version of the spyware has been known since 2008.

The spyware OSX / OpinionSpy is active on Windows PCs since 2008, is a new version for Mac OS, which is distributed just about big download sites, security experts warn of Intego. At the website MacUpdate, VersionTracker and Softpedia it is not dark corners of the Internet, but well-known sites for downloads.Therefore, the user probably less vigilant in terms of what they install on their computers.

Widespread is the spyware during the installation of screen savers, although it is not directly included in it, but is downloaded only during the installation. While OSX / OpinionSpy often disguised as a poll, it will be downloaded in part without further notice to the user. A Windows version of the malicious software is already in circulation since 2008, the new Mac version is still dangerous, according to Intego. OSX / OpinionSpy collects lots of data and sends them to unknown third parties.

Usernames, passwords, credit card numbers and some others are of the spyware that is updated itself incidentally, spied. The spyware has it apart not only on the locally stored data of a user, but also scans data on other computers on a network. Read the rest of this entry »