Re: [Rockies-Edu] Malware and virus issues on the Mac - two questions
Re: [Rockies-Edu] Malware and virus issues on the Mac - two questions
- Subject: Re: [Rockies-Edu] Malware and virus issues on the Mac - two questions
- From: "Weatherford,Geoff" <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:18:05 +0000
- Thread-topic: [Rockies-Edu] Malware and virus issues on the Mac - two questions
I see that Symantec's product requires the installation of Java. Which is what the malware used as it's conduit. Interesting.
I've got an update for Java from Apple. I'll install that and then install Symantec and see what happens.
Maybe I'll start using Linux. With no Java : )
--
Geoff Weatherford
Computers and Applications Management
Computing Resource Group
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University
(970) 491-2627
email@hidden<mailto:email@hidden>
From: Barcroft Patti Mailing list <email@hidden<mailto:email@hidden>>
Reply-To: <email@hidden<mailto:email@hidden>>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 13:53:20 -0600
To: <email@hidden<mailto:email@hidden>>
Subject: Re: [Rockies-Edu] Malware and virus issues on the Mac - two questions
We exist in a multi-platform environment and therefore maintain anti-virus on our Macs, as they can sometimes be carriers of problems while not being infected themselves.
We use Sophos (a multi-platform solution) on all machines, and have recently decided to include their full end-point security package, for the purpose of protecting against this type of scenario. Users are the worst and best form of defense when it comes to certain forms of vulnerabilities, so we try not to rely on them.
Sophos will provide a Symantec uninstaller and in the past was willing to help cover the cost of switching platforms. Sophos has been impressive in it's protection, but we have found that the Macs don't always report in to the management console - so it can be hard to know that they are staying up on their patches. The impact on the Mac and Windows performance is minimal/non-existent.
We have not done a thorough evaluation of our mac clients to determine if they have the finger print of the malware, but may consider doing so. One of our staff members has experienced a login hack on their Facebook account (we think generated from their home computer) but we'll start looking there for any evidence.
I too would be curious as to others experiences & planned direction. Keeping Apple updates & patches current is the true forefront of our primary Mac defense.
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Patti Barcroft
303-325-8224
Director of Technology
Cherry Hills Community Church & Christian School
On Apr 9, 2012, at 1:28 PM, Weatherford,Geoff wrote:
I'm trying to get some baseline information on how everyone else is reacting to the current Mac malware Flashback "attack". While I see a lot of attention being paid to it by Microsoft Windows people, I'm finding it difficult to acquire any reactions from people that use Mac OS X.
I have two basic questions:
1. Has anyone had any first hand experience (either themselves or the people/Macs you support) with the "Flashback" malware? The reason I ask is while there are some big numbers being broadcast on the news, I have seen some reports that indicate the numbers are, shall we say, somewhat suspect.
2. How are you dealing with the malware issue on the Macs? So, either from long term practice, or due to the recent news, or due to Macs being infected, are you using some sort of anti-virus solution on the Macs? If so, what program is it that you have found effective? One reason I ask is that while our university has a license for Symantec Enterprise Protection for the Mac, every time I install it I experience performance issues (of various sorts) on my iMac (running 10.6.8). Whenever I un-install the antivirus program, my problems immediately go away. If I didn't have the issues, I'd just keep running it and not worry about things (that said, we have a rather large number of computers running XP and Win7 that get infected by malware and these computers are all running the Symantec product).
Any feed back would be appreciated.
Thanks,
--
Geoff Weatherford
Computers and Applications Management
Computing Resource Group
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences,
Colorado State University
(970) 491-2627
email@hidden<mailto:email@hidden><mailto:email@hidden>
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