BEWARE OF SPYWARE!!!!!

[Lautrec]

My computer has been infested with a spyware selling advert for a programme called SPY SHERIFF! I already have a spyware programme installed and have no need of another premium one.

But can I get rid of this terrible invasive pop up. I have tried every thing that I can think of but as soon as I unistall it on the add and remove action. it returns to haunt me.

If anyone who has had experience of this pest and found a way to shoot the Sheriff, please oh please tell me how I can send it back to where it comes from!

Lautrec

[Ron Avery]

Oh dear

"SpySheriff hijacks the desktop, changing the wallpaper to a warning message to goad the user into using the antispyware software it installs"  It is a trojan type threat!

Try running something like Skybot or Evida to get rid of it.

If you have windows XP you must disable system restore (My Computer - right click  - properties - system restore)    Don't forget to restore system restore afterwards

If that does not work do a google, there are  lots of kits out there for removing this including

http://www.adwarealert.com

[Lautrec]

Thank you Ron for mentioning System Restore. I didn't do exactly as you suggested, I just restored my PC to a date before the problem reared its ugly Stetson and it seems that it has got rid of that pop-up pest!

So fingers crossed, it may be gone for good. Yeehaw!

Lautrec

[RayB]

[quote]Thank you Ron for mentioning System Restore. I didn't do exactly as you suggested, I just restored my PC to a date before the problem reared its ugly Stetson and it seems that it has got rid of that p...[/quote]

The good news for us (Mac Folk) is that there is no spyware for Mac.

Ray

[Poolguy]

I recommend a free download called www.hitmanpro.nl which is a collection of about 6 of the best spyware catchers in one syncronised command.

It has done a good job for me.

Andrew

[bigjimbishop]

 

The good news for us (Mac Folk) is that there is no spyware for Mac.

Ray Ray
Nr. Le Mont St. Michel (35)

Oh yes there is

 

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Spyware---Now-a-Problem-for-Mac-Users-as-Well&id=88374

If you Google "mac spyware" there is plenty of security problems with Mac OS

No one is safe

 

 

[Deimos]

[quote]The good news for us (Mac Folk) is that there is no spyware for Mac. Ray Ray Nr. Le Mont St. Michel (35) Oh yes there is http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Spyware-[/quote]

Apple (and Mac fans) are very keen on going on about “no this, no that and no the other” but what is actually the case is that Apple do not publish updates to address these things. They do not publish security bulletins, etc.

I’m not wanting to start any argument about which is more secure (Apple or Windoze), just agreeing that I’ve heard many Mac uses comment about how secure they are as there are no … when there are and they are probably more vulnerable because of this no … attitude (hence do nothing about it).

That said, I’m no fan of MS and MS can be very slow to address security holes, etc.

Ian

[Dick Smith]

No, Deimos. The Mac OS is based on Unix (IS Unix, in fact) and as such has almost no security issues of the sort which plague PCs. There has never been a recorded case of a Mac OS X virus or worm. There is no Mac spyware.

You PC users have to realise that sometimes something which looks that good IS that good...

[la bezarderie]

I can endorse using system restore to get rid.  I wasted 3/4 hours trying to get rid of spyware that I carelessly allowed on to my system, a very misleading pop-up purporting to be from Microsoft lulled me into a false sense of security.  When I finally thought of using system restore it worked like a charm.

[Stevehudson]

Head in the sand again Dick.

With only 3 in every 100 systems using macOS it is just not worth the virus writers time to produce them. Secondly, because of the "I'm immune" attitude of people like Dick, most macOS users wouldn't know if they had spyware. Also the day of the hybrid virus that can infect both operating systems in approaching fast.

Your looking a lot younger these days Dick, that sand you've got your head in is working wonders

Steve

[Dick Smith]

Steve - why do you assume that I am as mentally challenged as you clearly are? What is your head full of?

BTW - it's 'You're' not 'your'. Zero tolerance on sloppy punctuation, today.

[Deimos]

[quote]No, Deimos. The Mac OS is based on Unix (IS Unix, in fact) and as such has almost no security issues of the sort which plague PCs. There has never been a recorded case of a Mac OS X virus or worm. The...[/quote]

To quote one IT security manager (for a largely Mac user base) “…but he said the problem with loyal communities like Macintosh users is that when it comes to security, the conversation is usually 'religious' rather than constructive”

As a specific example, Oct 2004 a bit of destructive OS X malware was found known as “Opener”. This malware (yes really for OS X) disabled Mac OS X’s built-in firewall and steals/deletes personal data (passwords). The virus tries to spread itself to any mounted drive (i.e. local disk or network disk). See http://www.macintouch.com/opener.html.

I could go on but the above case is far from the only one.

OK then, maybe a few more examples:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]#technicaldetails

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/sh.renepo.b.html

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/macos.mw2004.trojan.html

http://www.securemac.com/TruBlueEnvironment-privilege-escalation-attack.php

http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=101173

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/autostart.9805.html

And many many more form a range of sites.

Mac actually "suffers" from too much PR in this respect. True there are far fewer than for PCs (and there is a much more limited range of software with vulnerabilities, etc. for Mac's). I am not talking about the numbers of malware "available".

Dick, you may be immune to such things but other Mac users might not be so lucky and would be well advised to take such things more seriously. “Head in the sand” does not protect you from very much these days.

(As I said before, I am no great lover of MS, but people need to be aware of threats).

Ian

[Dick Smith]

Ian - my head isn't in the sand at all. The only reported case of a Mac OSX worm was one which was created to test security in some applications - not the OS, which as I state is Unix and pretty fireproof. OK the scum who write viruses don't consider the Mac system worth bothering with? They would if it was easy - as easy as Microsoft have let it be in Windows.

May I quote from Symantec (good source)

"NIX malware overview

Symantec has currently detected over 100 malicious programs that work on UNIX. Almost all malwares are Zoo (that is not reported from customers/end users).

I have classified them into three categories: binary, script, and Java. In this document I will only explain binary and script malwares, because Java is "write once, run anywhere", even on Mac OS X .

Binary malwares

In contrast to the Windows platform, not that many binary malwares work on UNIX. Most binary malwares only work on Linux on an Intel platform. Fortunately, they cannot work on Mac OS X for the following reasons:

First, the CPU for Macintosh is not the same as the Intel platform. Currently, Mac OS X only runs on Macintosh computers that use a Motorola/IBM PowerPC G3 or G4 processor. For the same reason, binary malwares do not work on Linux for PowerPC.

The second reason binary malwares do not work on Mac OS X is the executable format. Commonly, the "Executable and Linking Format (ELF)" is used on UNIX. Of course Linux for PowerPC uses it too, but Mac OS X kernel can only understand the "Mach-O" binary format and does not support ELF. Mach-O is completely different from ELF. Its structure can be found by using "otool" from the command line."

"Trojans

Mac OS X uses NetInfo for managing user and group accounts, email configurations, NFS, printers, computers, and other resources. This is almost the same concept as Active Directory or NIS and it is the one significant difference from other UNIX. Using some of these resources requires using NetInfo manager or NetInfo tools from the command line.

Some trojans attempt to add new services for hackers. Some files require being modified the same as other UNIX instead of using NetInfo.

/etc/inetd.conf

/etc/services

/etc/hosts

Conclusion

Fortunately, almost all malwares for UNIX are Zoo and are rarely found, even if we want to. In addition, not many UNIX malwares can work on Mac OS X. The OS has inherited "Stability and Power" from UNIX, as Apple has said themselves."

I realise that this degree of security is a culture shock for PC users, but it is what you should demand from Gates and the sloppies as a right - after all, you pay enough for the software.

[Deimos]

Many apologies Dick. I must have misinterpreted you use of the word “never”. For me never means none, not ever, not a single one, etc. Thus when I quote e.g. “the opener” virus (a true computer virus by virtually any definition, and a virus targeting OS), I consider the word “never” to be incorrect.

What you have cut and pasted references only a portion of techniques available to malware developers (i.e. Binary executables). I assume from what you have cut and pasted and its limited scope that you are not involved in software development and are thus unaware to how many of these things can work. Your cut and pasted bit about Trojans shows nothing about susceptibility (or otherwise) of OS X to such types of malware, and just discusses techniques hackers use to install Trojans on OS X – but hang-on, there has NEVER been such a thing for a Mac so how do Symantec describe what these non-existent bits of malware actually try to do ?.

As I said before, this is not about what is better; Windoze or Mac. Despite your attempts, I will not be dragged into such a futile argument. Both have their advantages, both have their disadvantages and there are viruses for both and both the OSs are susceptible to viruses. From you post, maybe the most relevant bit I posted previously was “when it comes to security, the conversation is usually 'religious' rather than constructive” (which you have illustrated excellently).

I would ask only that you let us know what the word NEVER actually means as I clearly have been misusing and misunderstanding if throughout my life.

Ian

[Dick Smith]

Ian - I haven't got the faintest idea what all the technobabble means - being a Mac user I don't need/want to. I just want a machine that works out of the box and keeps going until I decide I can't live without another stylish Jonathan Ive creation. PC porno consumers don't get that - you WANT to make it complicated. I don't know why.

As to the use of the word 'never' I think you are being unnecessarily anal about it. Especially given that you are citing one event against many tens of thousands and trying to establish some sort of spurious parity.

I'm willing to lay cash that in a couple of years, when Mac OS on Intel is widespread and probably commercially availaable, you'll see the light, too.

And don't give me percentages - not many people own BMWs, that doesn't make them bad cars...

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/27102005/101/apple-industry-leader-analyst.html

[Deimos]

Quote [Dicksmith]: “I'm willing to lay cash that in a couple of years, when Mac OS on Intel is widespread and probably commercially availaable, you'll see the light, too.”

Sorry, as I said I’m not going to be dragged into you religious fervour and start arguing about which is better. It’s a fruitless argument as both have advantages and disadvantages.

Quote [Dicksmith]: “BTW - it's 'You're' not 'your'. Zero tolerance on sloppy punctuation, today”

Sorry, I felt something like the word NEVER had a definitive meaning, but now I’m being anal ?????

Quote [Dicksmith]: “Especially given that you are citing one event against many tens of thousands and trying to establish some sort of spurious parity”

Actually if you read my post there were several examples (I count 7 including “Opener”) but is this being anal about numbers. They were only examples to illustrate the “don’t suffer from” and NEVER is not true.

Also, you have to remember that Windoze is actually far more open to add-ins with many more methods and techniques for 3rd party authors to tie-in to existing products. Similarly, the range and choice of add-in software is somewhat greater for PCs than Macs. This is purely on a statistical basis more likely to expose things that malware developers can exploit.

Quote [Dicksmith]: “I haven't got the faintest idea what all the technobabble means”

Then why are you getting involved in technical discussions and trying to prove how good Macs are using a technical justification. There is no reason why you should understand jargon to use either Macs or PCs (and if my 80 plus year old farther can self teach himself using Windoze then I would hope it is not beyond many non-technical younger people – as is the case for Macs).

Ian

[Dick Smith]

Sorry, Ian, I've just been messing you about. Clearly I can't be serious enough to be a PC user. You want to lighten up, though, or I'm scared you will get a nosebleed.

It's a fact of nature, like gravity or the half-life of a British Rail sandwich: Macs are better.

(And we have a spell check that even works on this forum...)

[DOMY]

I am a Mac User for 12 years, now !

I have never seen a virus on my Mac ! How does it look like ?

I Have never used an anti-virus software ? What for ?

I have never seen a spyware on my Mac ! How does it look like ?

The only virus I know, and I fear ... is MICROSOFT WINDOWS, but there is no antidote !

[Dick Smith]

Careful Domy - they won't believe you!

I don't know whether Windows is a virus or not, but I always feel like I need antibiotics after using it.

Ian 'Quote [Dicksmith]: “BTW - it's 'You're' not 'your'. Zero tolerance on sloppy punctuation, today”

Sorry, I felt something like the word NEVER had a definitive meaning, but now I’m being anal ?????'

Are you saying I spelled 'never' wrongly?

[Quillan]

Just out of interest after a couple of statements in the previous posts I thought I would do a search on Virus+Mac in google and there are 21,600,000 hits. Assuming that only 1% of these are what you are looking for that leaves 21,000 pages on the subject. I see there is a version of NetSky and CodeRed for Mac and there are loads of companies producing anti virus software for Mac's including Symantec and Sophos. So if there were no viruses for Macs why would they write AV software?

Likewise I did a search on Virus+Unix, again there are some interesting info.

Unix/Linux is usually used for servers and there are different issues with them than there are with desktops which I guess are what we are talking about. With the advent of open systems like Linux people have a better chance to write virus and trojans because they have access to the source which makes it less interesting for virus writers. Windows is closed source so the writers see it as more of a challenge.

Theres far more Windows desktops than Mac so of course you will hear more about Windows viruses than Macs but don't kid yourself that there are none for Macs, it's just that the chance of getting one is a lot less.

I think there will be a bigger virus threat to the next generation of Macs as they will be using Intel chipsets and because a lot of this stuff for Windows is written in machine code to enhance them to attack Macs will be a simple job.

Desktop operating systems are an emotive subject really, I compare them to wine. Which is the best wine, the one you personally like the most. Mac users do seem to be a bit evangelist when it comes to their kit, Windows users on the other hand become very adept with swear words.

[Miki]

"....Windows users on the other hand become very adept with swear words"

B*******S

[Deimos]

Many apologies Dick. I thought this was a serious thread about Spyware and not about witty untruths and “messing people about”. Completely the wrong end of the stick on my part. Total lack of a sense of humour on my part. It does get difficult to distinguish serious from humorous threads (at least for me). I’ll depart this thread as I was trying to contribute factual stuff rather than jokes.

As one serious thought DOMY, if you do not use anti-virus software you may well never know you have malware on your PC. It might just be sending out your personal details, those of your friends, e-mail addresses, etc. without your knowing (which is what many do). However, you may well also be completely clear. I have never had a malware alter go off on my PC (Windoze) as thus have to assume I have never had a virus. – but you were probably just “messing around” with your comments.

Ian

[Alan Zoff]

I am pleased to say that I have barely understood a word of this thread.

Ignorance is bliss.

[pinkfluff<P>Big Wet Drops and Lots of Them, Are a Sure Sign of Rain!<P>]

How do you system restore to a date? please  it might solve a few little problems on my PC and does anyone know how to change the keyboard to a french one, as everytime I type m  I type ;  instead thanks

[DOMY]

[quote]I am pleased to say that I have barely understood a word of this thread. Ignorance is bliss.[/quote]

[quote]As one serious thought DOMY, if you do not use anti-virus software you may well never know you have malware on your PC. It might just be sending out your personal details, those of your friends, e-mail addresses, etc. without your knowing (which is what many do). However, you may well also be completely clear.[quote/]

Totally wrong !

I have my excellent firewall working fot that !

And I control everything which going out of my computer ...

Simple and very efficient :

http://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/