Archive for May, 2011
Apple offers free bottom case replacement for white MacBooks
Apple has a new program to help unibody white MacBook owners with problematic bottom plates.
The MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program does just want it says—gets the user a replacement bottom cover if the soft rubber coating separates from the aluminum plate.
When Apple introduced the unibody white MacBook in October, it got rid of the usual rubber bumpers that adorn the bottom of most Apple notebooks. Instead, Apple covered the bottom plate in a skid-resistant soft rubber, the same material used on the bottom of the Airport Extreme and older generation Mac minis.
We hadn’t heard any problems with this rubber coating, but according to Apple, the rubber—applied with an adhesive to the aluminum base of the bottom plate—can become separated “under certain circumstances.” If this happens within a period of two years from the date of purchase—regardless of warranty status—Apple will replace the bottom plate for free.
Apple noted that the problem can affect white unibody MacBooks made between October 2009 and April 2011; presumably whatever cause is behind the problem has already been addressed in manufacturing. Users experiencing the problem can either take the affected machine into a local Apple Store to have the bottom plate replaced by a Genius, or can simply order a replacement part online, complete with screws and a Philips driver. (Speaking from experience, it’s a pretty easy replacement.)
If you believe you have paid for a similar repair that would have been covered by this new program, you can contact Apple to arrange a refund. Apple said that it will continue to monitor the situation and may extend the program as needed.
Source: Arstechnica.com
How To Avoid Mac Malware
New Threats: MacDefender, MacProtector, MacSecurity and MacGuard
Summary
A recent phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. The user is then offered Mac Defender “anti-virus” software to solve the issue.
This “anti-virus” software is malware (i.e. malicious software). Its ultimate goal is to get the user’s credit card information which may be used for fraudulent purposes.
The most common names for this malware are MacDefender, MacProtector, MacSecurity and MacGuard.
In the coming days, Apple will deliver a Mac OS X software update that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants. The update will also help protect users by providing an explicit warning if they download this malware.
In the meantime, the Resolution section below provides step-by-step instructions on how to avoid or manually remove this malware.
How to avoid installing this malware
If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using. If a normal attempt at quitting the browser doesn’t work, then Force Quit the browser.
In some cases, your browser may automatically download and launch the installer for this malicious software. If this happens, cancel the installation process; do not enter your administrator password. Delete the installer immediately using the steps below.
- Go into the Downloads folder or your preferred download location.
- Drag the installer to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash.
For more help or information give us a call BitWise Computer Repair at 916-987-5474
Source: BitWiseComputerRepair.com
Macintosh Malware Alert
Fake “MAC Defender” antivirus app scams users out of money and CC numbers.
Security firm Intego announced Monday that a fake antivirus program for Mac OS X has been discovered in the wild. While the threat potential remains low, inexperienced users could be fooled into paying to remove fake viruses “detected” by the software, and in the process, could end up giving credit card information to scammers.
The fake antivirus software calls itself “MAC Defender,” perhaps the first hint that it should not be trusted (Apple makes “Macs,” not “MACs”). Those behind the malware used SEO poisoning to make links to the software show up at the top of search results in Google and other search engines. Clicking the links that show up in search results brings up a fake Windows screen that tells the user a virus has been “detected,” another clue that something is fishy. JavaScript code then automatically downloads a zipped installer for MAC Defender.
If the “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” option is turned on in Safari, the installer will be unzipped and run. Since the installer requires a user password, it won’t install without user interaction. However, inexperienced users may be fooled into thinking the software is legitimate.
Intego notes that the application is well designed and doesn’t have misspellings or other errors common to such malware on Windows. The software will periodically display Growl alerts that various fake malware has been detected, and also periodically opens porn websites in the default browser, perhaps leading a user to believe the detected malware “threats” are real. Users are then directed to an insecure website to pay for a license and “clean” the malware infections. However, the buying the license merely stops the fake alerts from popping up, but your money and credit card info is now in the hands of hackers.
While MAC Defender wouldn’t likely fool an experienced user, Intego notes that its appearance in the wild is yet another opportunity to detail some useful security precautions. Don’t let your browser automatically open downloads. If your browser asks if you want to run an installer even though you didn’t try to download one, click “cancel.” And never give your password to run installers you aren’t 100 percent sure about.
Source: Arstechnica.com