Macintosh computers have long been thought to be overlooked by malware and phishing attacks, but they are becoming more and more popular with hackers and other online scam artists, as witnessed by the large-scale Fakeflash or Flashback infection seen on over half-a-million Macs this week.
Unlike most virus attacks, this particular infestation is occurring by stealth, as users do not need to manually click on any malicious links or manually download any malware to get infected.
“This is hardly the first time Mac users have been hit by a virus,” says Simon Campbell-Young, CEO of Phoenix Software. “Last year, we had Mac Defender, and Fakeflash is far more widespread and sophisticated. Unfortunately, criminals have realised that they can make money targeting Apple users, and as Apple continues to gain market share, it will also see more attacks. This is the start of a new era in which Mac are increasingly becoming the new targets for malware attacks.”
Campbell-Young adds that this is proof of the necessity of anti-virus for Macs. “In addition to preventing infections such as this one, a product like Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac prevents users' Macs from becoming 'incubators' for malware and from inadvertently harbouring and spreading PC and Unix malware to colleagues and friends.”
Kaspersky's Anti-Virus for Mac is designed exclusively for the Apple machines and supports devices running Mac OS 10.4.11 or higher, including Snow Leopard and Intel processors. This security suite automatically scans files, downloads from the Web and e-mail attachments in real-time, disinfecting corrupted files as it goes along and protecting users from the more than 30 000 new malware threats each day.
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Phoenix Software
Phoenix Software, a division of the Phoenix Distribution group of businesses, is a focused software publishing and distribution business that is one of the leading suppliers of consumer-related IT software products through mass retail in sub-Saharan Africa. The company has a focused retail division, covering all major and mid-tier retail outlets across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as a focused small enterprise, SME and large-scale enterprise software division. In addition, Phoenix Software is a specialist volume-licensing distributor and OEM partner for numerous vendors, creating bespoke software and accessory bundling for value-added promotions across the retail and business-to-business landscape.
Having recently celebrated its 10th year in business, the company has established itself as the industry partner of choice, with a wide range of products boasting a diversity of categories. Services offered include volume licensing on all leading brands, educational discounts and retail distribution. Phoenix Software manages all services that assist customers with supply, namely in-bound and out-bound logistics, merchandising, training, marketing, publishing, key account management and market trends.
Phoenix Software's product range includes titles from leading vendors such as AVG, Ability, ArcSoft, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Exspect, Individual Software, ISLight, Kaspersky Lab, Magix, Nero, Navigon, Pinnacle Systems, Propalms, Oregon Scientific, Roxio, UniBlue, Lavasoft, Sony Creative Software, TuneupUtilities, PineApp, Parallels, Rebit, NCH, Zemana, Zoner, StorageCraft and Large Software.
The Phoenix Distribution group has a global footprint, with strategic partnerships in the US, Germany, France and Singapore. Phoenix Software is represented in the UK and Europe via a wholly owned subsidiary, PX Software, and has branches in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Phoenix Distribution is 50.5% owned by First Technology Holdings, the largest privately owned IT company in Africa.
For more information, visit www.phoenixsoftware.co.za.
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