There's a myth that Macs don't get viruses - but it's just that: a myth.

AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
malicious websites, emails, and downloads.

=

The above statement is a bold claim, made here:- https://ibb.co/MZpBy63

The claim is supported by Trend Micro. Screenshot - https://ibb.co/Zm7DnRY

=

Does anyone reading here know the REAL truth of the matter?

I wonder!

--
Kind regards,
David B.

On Mar 22, 2023 at 3:00:19 AM PDT, "David Brooks" <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org>
wrote:

> There's a myth that Macs don't get viruses - but it's just that: a myth.

I think you mean an "extreme rarity". The myth is, as stated by most
Windows-centric loyalists, that Macs get viruses. They don't.

> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.

Malware isn't usually considered a virus.

> =
>
> The above statement is a bold claim, made here:- https://ibb.co/MZpBy63
>
> The claim is supported by Trend Micro. Screenshot - https://ibb.co/Zm7DnRY
>
> =
>
> Does anyone reading here know the REAL truth of the matter?
>
> I wonder!

On 2023-03-22, gtr <xxx@yyy.zzz> wrote:
> On Mar 22, 2023 at 3:00:19 AM PDT, "David Brooks" <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org>
> wrote:
>
>> There's a myth that Macs don't get viruses - but it's just that: a
>> myth.
>
> I think you mean an "extreme rarity". The myth is, as stated by most
> Windows-centric loyalists, that Macs get viruses. They don't.

They also don't often know the difference between an actual virus and
malware which can be in the form of trojans, and are most often adware.

>> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
>> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
>> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
>
> Malware isn't usually considered a virus.

Actually, viruses are a _type_ of malware.

A computer *virus* is a type of malicious software that, when executed,
replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its
own code. The only OS X viruses in existence are proof-of-concepts
written by security researchers to prove that it could be done. Only one
so far in all of these years, named Oompa-Loompa (also called OSX/Oomp-A
or Leap.A), actually fits the true definition of a virus - and even
then, very loosely, because it was never actually able to spread in the
wild over the internet. It was limited to local networks (like your home
network) and couldn't spread over the internet. And it required the
receiving computer's user to interactively click a link in iChat to
download it to their computer, interactively open the downloaded file,
and interactively supply administrator credentials to install it for it
to be successful. For these reasons, it never was able to spread far,
even on the few occasions it was found in the wild.

The vast majority of macOS malware in the wild today are in the form of
*trojans*: apps that pretend to be legitimate apps - typically pirated
copies of commercial apps, or third-party apps downloaded from unsavory
paces like CNET Downloads, VersionTracker, or MacUpdate with installers
that have been stealthily modified by those download services to bundle
malware with them.

And the majority of such macOS trojan malware is *adware* that modifies
the behavior of web browsers to spy on your browsing behavior and inject
ads into pages displayed by the web browser.

And *all* of them require the user to be tricked into *interactively*
downloading and installing them, as well as *interactively* entering
administrator credentials when prompted, to successfully infect a target
Mac. In other words, they all rely on simple *social engineering* to work.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

On 3/22/23 6:40 PM, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-03-22, gtr <xxx@yyy.zzz> wrote:
>> On Mar 22, 2023 at 3:00:19 AM PDT, "David Brooks" <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org>
>> wrote:
>>

SNIP

ven on the few occasions it was found in the wild.
>
> The vast majority of macOS malware in the wild today are in the form of
> *trojans*: apps that pretend to be legitimate apps - typically pirated
> copies of commercial apps, or third-party apps downloaded from unsavory
> paces like CNET Downloads, VersionTracker, or MacUpdate with installers
> that have been stealthily modified by those download services to bundle
> malware with them.
>
> And the majority of such macOS trojan malware is *adware* that modifies
> the behavior of web browsers to spy on your browsing behavior and inject
> ads into pages displayed by the web browser.
>
> And *all* of them require the user to be tricked into *interactively*
> downloading and installing them, as well as *interactively* entering
> administrator credentials when prompted, to successfully infect a target
> Mac. In other words, they all rely on simple *social engineering* to work.
>

CNET unsavory? I thought it's a safe, reputable site.

On 2023-03-23, Wade Garrett <wade@cooler.net> wrote:
> On 3/22/23 6:40 PM, Jolly Roger wrote:
>
> SNIP
>
>> The vast majority of macOS malware in the wild today are in the form
>> of *trojans*: apps that pretend to be legitimate apps - typically
>> pirated copies of commercial apps, or third-party apps downloaded
>> from unsavory paces like CNET Downloads, VersionTracker, or MacUpdate
>> with installers that have been stealthily modified by those download
>> services to bundle malware with them.
>>
>> And the majority of such macOS trojan malware is *adware* that
>> modifies the behavior of web browsers to spy on your browsing
>> behavior and inject ads into pages displayed by the web browser.
>>
>> And *all* of them require the user to be tricked into *interactively*
>> downloading and installing them, as well as *interactively* entering
>> administrator credentials when prompted, to successfully infect a
>> target Mac. In other words, they all rely on simple *social
>> engineering* to work.
>
> CNET unsavory? I thought it's a safe, reputable site.

VersionTracker, MacUpdate, and CNET Downloads regularly modify
installers of software they make available for download by adding
advertisements and bundling adware with it:

<https://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/>
<https://www.engadget.com/2010-09-08-versiontracker-com-officially-absorbed-by-cnet.html?guccounter=1>
<https://mjtsai.com/blog/2015/11/04/macupdate-adware-installers/>
<https://www.thesafemac.com/has-macupdate-fallen-to-the-adware-plague/>

It's a despicable practice, but it's how they make money, so there's no
sign it will stop. So I always advise people to avoid getting software
from download sites like this. I've even seen malware being bundled with
legitimate titles from MacUpdate:

<https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2018/02/new-mac-cryptominer-distributed-via-a-macupdate-hack>

You should *always* download Mac software directly from the app
developer's website or from the App Store.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

Am 23.03.23 um 17:45 schrieb Jolly Roger:
> On 2023-03-23, Wade Garrett <wade@cooler.net> wrote:
>> CNET unsavory? I thought it's a safe, reputable site.

> You should *always* download Mac software directly from the app
> developer's website or from the App Store.

+1

--
Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

Am 22.03.23 um 11:00 schrieb David Brooks:
> There's a myth that Macs don't get viruses - but it's just that: a myth.
>
> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.

Total bullshit.

--
Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

On 24/03/2023 06:48, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
> Am 22.03.23 um 11:00 schrieb David Brooks:
>> There's a myth that Macs don't get viruses - but it's just that: a myth.
>>
>> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
>> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
>> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
>
> Total bullshit.

Possibly.

Tell me, Joerg, if you do not use some form of AV software on your Mac,
how would you, as the computer user, KNOW that your machine had been
compromised?

I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!

--
David

On 23/03/2023 16:45, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-03-23, Wade Garrett <wade@cooler.net> wrote:
>> On 3/22/23 6:40 PM, Jolly Roger wrote:
>>
>> SNIP
>>
>>> The vast majority of macOS malware in the wild today are in the form
>>> of *trojans*: apps that pretend to be legitimate apps - typically
>>> pirated copies of commercial apps, or third-party apps downloaded
>>> from unsavory paces like CNET Downloads, VersionTracker, or MacUpdate
>>> with installers that have been stealthily modified by those download
>>> services to bundle malware with them.
>>>
>>> And the majority of such macOS trojan malware is *adware* that
>>> modifies the behavior of web browsers to spy on your browsing
>>> behavior and inject ads into pages displayed by the web browser.
>>>
>>> And *all* of them require the user to be tricked into *interactively*
>>> downloading and installing them, as well as *interactively* entering
>>> administrator credentials when prompted, to successfully infect a
>>> target Mac. In other words, they all rely on simple *social
>>> engineering* to work.
>>
>> CNET unsavory? I thought it's a safe, reputable site.
>
> VersionTracker, MacUpdate, and CNET Downloads regularly modify
> installers of software they make available for download by adding
> advertisements and bundling adware with it:
>
> <https://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/>
> <https://www.engadget.com/2010-09-08-versiontracker-com-officially-absorbed-by-cnet.html?guccounter=1>
> <https://mjtsai.com/blog/2015/11/04/macupdate-adware-installers/>
> <https://www.thesafemac.com/has-macupdate-fallen-to-the-adware-plague/>
>
> It's a despicable practice, but it's how they make money, so there's no
> sign it will stop. So I always advise people to avoid getting software
> from download sites like this. I've even seen malware being bundled with
> legitimate titles from MacUpdate:
>
> <https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2018/02/new-mac-cryptominer-distributed-via-a-macupdate-hack>
>
> You should *always* download Mac software directly from the app
> developer's website or from the App Store.

Your comments are always read with interest, JR. Thank you.

Are you able to access this thread?

https://www.google.com/search?q=discussions.apple.com%2Fthread%2F254730926&source=hp&ei=MmcdZI2FC4iUhbIPirWDkAk&iflsig=AK50M_UAAAAAZB11QppYvGj2OhyxcCc_GUM61WTQMeSX&ved=0ahUKEwiN5pW_mvT9AhUISkEAHYraAJIQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=discussions.apple.com%2Fthread%2F254730926&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6DggAEI8BEOoCEIwDEOUCOg4ILhCPARDqAhCMAxDlAlCrGViXOmCfZWgBcAB4AIABQIgB1QGSAQE0mAEAoAECoAEBsAEK&sclient=gws-wiz

In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
<DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!

they do not do that, nor can they do that.

Am 24.03.23 um 14:11 schrieb nospam:
> In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>
>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
>> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>
> they do not do that, nor can they do that.

Is DB again smoking funny stuff?

--
Gutta cavat lapidem (Ovid)

On 24/03/2023 13:11, nospam wrote:
> In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>
>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
>> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>
> they do not do that, nor can they do that.

Yes, they can!

If you look in System Settings > System Report > System Information >
Software > Installations > Software Name

You should see this:- https://ibb.co/2ccpz2P

Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?

No user interaction is necessary nor required.

--
David

On 23/03/2023 16:57, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
> Am 23.03.23 um 17:45 schrieb Jolly Roger:
>> On 2023-03-23, Wade Garrett <wade@cooler.net> wrote:
>>> CNET unsavory? I thought it's a safe, reputable site.
>
>> You should *always* download Mac software directly from the app
>> developer's website or from the App Store.
>
> +1

I agree, y the way! :-)

Are YOU able to read here, Joerg?

https://www.google.com/search?q=discussions.apple.com%2Fthread%2F254730926&source=hp&ei=MmcdZI2FC4iUhbIPirWDkAk&iflsig=AK50M_UAAAAAZB11QppYvGj2OhyxcCc_GUM61WTQMeSX&ved=0ahUKEwiN5pW_mvT9AhUISkEAHYraAJIQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=discussions.apple.com%2Fthread%2F254730926&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6DggAEI8BEOoCEIwDEOUCOg4ILhCPARDqAhCMAxDlAlCrGViXOmCfZWgBcAB4AIABQIgB1QGSAQE0mAEAoAECoAEBsAEK&sclient=gws-wiz

If so, can you find the actual post on the ASC forums?

--
David

In article <VhjTL.1223941$Tcw8.1217522@fx10.iad>, David Brooks
<DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

> >> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
> >> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
> >
> > they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>
> Yes, they can!

no they cannot.

> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?

vladimir putin did.

On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
> On 24/03/2023 06:48, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>> Am 22.03.23 um 11:00 schrieb David Brooks:
>>>
>>> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
>>> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
>>> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
>>
>> Total bullshit.
>
> Possibly.
>
> Tell me, Joerg, if you do not use some form of AV software on your
> Mac, how would you, as the computer user, KNOW that your machine had
> been compromised?

macOS has built-in protection from malware, dummy. And I'm sure you've
been told this numerous times.

> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!

Apple isn't monitoring what runs on your Mac.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
> On 24/03/2023 13:11, nospam wrote:
>> In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
>> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>
>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does
>>> or doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>>
>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>
> Yes, they can!
>
> If you look in System Settings > System Report > System Information >
> Software > Installations > Software Name
>
> You should see this:- https://ibb.co/2ccpz2P
>
> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?

XProtect is part of macOS's built-in malware protection. It's literally
part of the operating system, dumb dumb.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

On 24/03/2023 17:50, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>> On 24/03/2023 13:11, nospam wrote:
>>> In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
>>> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does
>>>> or doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>>>
>>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>>
>> Yes, they can!
>>
>> If you look in System Settings > System Report > System Information >
>> Software > Installations > Software Name
>>
>> You should see this:- https://ibb.co/2ccpz2P
>>
>> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?
>
> XProtect is part of macOS's built-in malware protection. It's literally
> part of the operating system, dumb dumb.

XProtect is ADDED to macOS as and when felt necessary by Apple. The user
of the computer, if it is connected to the Internet, has no control over
HOW apple manipulates the operating system.

The action is, of course, designed to be in the best interests of the
computer user.

HTH

On 24/03/2023 16:09, nospam *LIED*

> In article <VhjTL.1223941$Tcw8.1217522@fx10.iad>, David Brooks
> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>
>>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
>>>> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>>>
>>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>>
>> Yes, they can!
>
> no they cannot.

They can - and they *DO*.

>> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?
>
> vladimir putin did.

Other readers are able to see your lies. <shrug>

--
David

In article <_pnTL.1630499$iS99.190910@fx16.iad>, David Brooks
<DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

> >>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
> >>>> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
> >>>
> >>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
> >>
> >> Yes, they can!
> >
> > no they cannot.
>
> They can - and they *DO*.

they cannot, nor is that even a realistic option if they could.

On 24/03/2023 17:49, Jolly Roger wrote:
> On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>> On 24/03/2023 06:48, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>>> Am 22.03.23 um 11:00 schrieb David Brooks:
>>>>
>>>> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
>>>> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats, like
>>>> malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
>>>
>>> Total bullshit.
>>
>> Possibly.
>>
>> Tell me, Joerg, if you do not use some form of AV software on your
>> Mac, how would you, as the computer user, KNOW that your machine had
>> been compromised?
>
> macOS has built-in protection from malware, dummy. And I'm sure you've
> been told this numerous times.

macOS most certainly does have built-in protection.

>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does or
>> doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>
> Apple isn't monitoring what runs on your Mac.

Yes, dummy, it *IS*!

In article <ExpTL.1228631$8_id.132805@fx09.iad>, David Brooks
<DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:

>
> macOS most certainly does have built-in protection.

unlike your parents.

nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote:

> In article <ExpTL.1228631$8_id.132805@fx09.iad>, David Brooks
> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>
> >
> > macOS most certainly does have built-in protection.
>
> unlike your parents.

lol

--
^Ï^. – Sn!pe – My pet rock Gordon just is.

<https://youtu.be/_kqytf31a8E>

On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
> On 24/03/2023 17:50, Jolly Roger wrote:
>> On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>> On 24/03/2023 13:11, nospam wrote:
>>>> In article <%wdTL.290159$mmyc.73867@fx37.iad>, David Brooks
>>>> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does
>>>>> or doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in
>>>>> California!
>>>>
>>>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>>>
>>> Yes, they can!
>>>
>>> If you look in System Settings > System Report > System Information
>>> > Software > Installations > Software Name
>>>
>>> You should see this:- https://ibb.co/2ccpz2P
>>>
>>> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?
>>
>> XProtect is part of macOS's built-in malware protection. It's
>> literally part of the operating system, dumb dumb.
>
> XProtect is ADDED to macOS

Nope, XProtect has been a built-in part of the operating system since
10.6 (Snow Leopard). Apple updates the existing list of malicious
applications during security updates.

> The user of the computer, if it is connected to the Internet, has no
> control over HOW apple manipulates the operating system.

Wrong again. System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced > Install
system data files and security updates allows users to control this -
and disabling this feature would be incredibly dumb for obvious reasons.

> HTH

You haven't helped anyone by spreading misinformation.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
> On 24/03/2023 16:09, nospam *LIED*
>
>> In article <VhjTL.1223941$Tcw8.1217522@fx10.iad>, David Brooks
>> <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>
>>>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does
>>>>> or doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in
>>>>> California!
>>>>
>>>> they do not do that, nor can they do that.
>>>
>>> Yes, they can!
>>
>> no they cannot.
>
> They can - and they *DO*.
>
>>> Who put *XProtectPayloads* there if not Apple itself?
>>
>> vladimir putin did.
>
> Other readers are able to see your lies. <shrug>

You're the one who is lying.

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR

On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
> On 24/03/2023 17:49, Jolly Roger wrote:
>> On 2023-03-24, David Brooks <DavidB@nomail.afraid.org> wrote:
>>> On 24/03/2023 06:48, Joerg Lorenz wrote:
>>>> Am 22.03.23 um 11:00 schrieb David Brooks:
>>>>>
>>>>> AVG Antivirus for Mac works in realtime to detect and remove Mac-
>>>>> specific malware. We'll also keep you safe from online threats,
>>>>> like malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
>>>>
>>>> Total bullshit.
>>>
>>> Possibly.
>>>
>>> Tell me, Joerg, if you do not use some form of AV software on your
>>> Mac, how would you, as the computer user, KNOW that your machine had
>>> been compromised?
>>
>> macOS has built-in protection from malware, dummy. And I'm sure
>> you've been told this numerous times.
>
> macOS most certainly does have built-in protection.

Yet you continually post bullshit about third-party malware protection
here. Strange, that.

>>> I guess that, like me, you are happy to let Apple manage what does
>>> or doesn't run on your machine from its headquarters in California!
>>
>> Apple isn't monitoring what runs on your Mac.
>
> Yes, dummy, it *IS*!

Nope. Your Mac monitors what is running on it to look for malware all on
its own, without Apple's servers being involved (other than to update
the malware list when you install security updates).

--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.

JR