I have just been made aware of new malware phishing program known as “MacDefender” targeting Mac computers. Technically this is not a virus but rather a scam to steal your credit card information.

Basically:
Do not open or install anything called MacDefender and if you do so by accident do not give them your credit card information. If you did give them your credit card information you should call your credit card company right away and cancel your card.

The way it works:
After doing a Google Images search a window may pop-up on your screen asking you to install “MacDefender”. If you install the program then it will pop up another box saying you have a virus (you don’t) and then it will ask for your credit card information to pay for them to remove the virus. It will also open pornographic websites on your computer screen every few minutes.

To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following box in Safari’s preferences: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck “Open “safe” files after downloading”.

For those infected with the MacDefender malware, follow these steps to remove the program:

1. Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor and quit the process called MACDefender.

2. Delete MacDefender from the Applications folder by moving it to the trash

3. To ensure you do not automatically download the app again, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck “Open “safe” files after downloading”.

If you would like to set up an appointment to have me remove MacDefender from your computer just call or email me and we can schedule a time.