Beware, Windows Users... :/

[ceagle]

A new java windows-hoser to beware of... http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/11/alternative_slimeware/

(thanks james_b for the heads up).

Comments

[sly-paws.livejournal.com]

Does this mean even Macs arn't safe?

allo.. :>

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell, this is yet another instance of macs being an exception, and therefore safe from this one. That's just a guess though, since macs *do* use Java sometimes, ...but..... this spyware/registrykiller/internetexplorercorrupter is designed to overtake windows machines, so in this particular instance, it appears that even if the trojan installer was activated, it would not weave into the mac architecture.

At last time I checked, there was a count of nearly 100,000 viruses for windows, and about 70 for macs. So nothing is completely safe, only safer. I've seen about three mac viruses since 1990. All came from disks, not the internet. One was caught before it did anything. Another one was fixed by norton. The third one was the most interesting, kinda silly actually, as it made the mouse cursor jump all over the screen any other random place except where one would click :D
It was easily removed *wags*

Anyways, here's a site with the mac info if you're interested: http://www.graphixmad.plus.com/mac_troubleshooter/virus_problems.html

best wishes!