Symantec cuts Flashback infection estimates in half
According to Symantec, most of the infections remain in the United States, followed distantly by Canada and the United Kingdom. Flashback is a form of malware designed to grab passwords and other information from users through their Web browser and other applications. A user typically mistakes it for a legitimate browser plug-in while visiting a malicious Web site. At that point, the software installs code designed to gather personal information and send it back to remote servers. In its most recent incarnations, the software can install itself without user interaction.Related storiesMac Flashback malware: What it is and how to get rid of it (FAQ)How to remove the Flashback malware from OS XMore than 600,000 Macs infected with Flashback botnetApple's Flashback problemSecurity experts last week told CNET that the threat was the biggest yet to hit Apple's Mac platform, following in the footsteps of last year's MacDefender rogue antivirus scare. Apple yesterday announced plans to offer a removal tool for the malware, though it has not offered an estimated time of release. Previous such security control features have come as standalone software updates, patching Apple's Mac OS. If you're looking for more information on the malware, and how to remove it, be sure to read CNET's FAQ.
