OSX/Flashback virus hits students', university's Apple computers
A large outbreak of malware known as OSX/Flashback has affected up to 80 Apple computers on the USC network, according to University Technology Services. The infected computers are largely, but not exclusively, student computers.
UTS first detected suspicious network traffic on March 29, and issued a warning about OSX/Flashback on April 3.
Frequenters of file sharing websites and programs are at the highest risk of infection, though they are not the only users at risk. Even reputable websites, such as The State newspaper or CNN, that serve ads to their visitors can unknowingly deliver malware, according to UTS IT Chief Information Security Officer Marcos Vieyra.
“Any website can host malicious content,” Vieyra said. “This can happen if criminals manage to inject malicious ads into the ad delivery service, which has been known to happen. Additionally, any website that is not professionally maintained by someone who understands computer security puts their visitors at risk if their website is ever compromised and unknowingly controlled by hackers. This, too, is distressingly common.”
UTS put additional network-based malware protections in place in 2011, which may help protect Mac users from infection, but users themselves must also exercise caution. An IT bulletin was sent out shortly after the first UTS detection with suggestions on how to prevent infection. These suggestions include installing a protective patch designed by Apple and keeping current with third-party application updates.
“Unfortunately, there is no such thing as 100-percent digital security,” Vieyra said. “Everyone must still do their part to stay safe online, such as following provided security guidelines.”
Macs are thought to be virtually virus-proof by many, but this first large-scale Mac-exclusive infection, currently estimated to have infected more than 650,000 computers, has served as a reality check for some.
“I knew they could get viruses, but I thought that they were a lot less likely to get them than PCs,” said Jackie Tolomeo, Mac user and first-year chemical engineering student. “Now I really have to go download that patch.”
If students find that their computers have been infected with OSX/Flashback, they are encouraged to seek help from UTS.
Contact the UTS Help Desk at 803-777-1800, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for support.