New malware can take control of Macs, Intego warns (Macworld.com)

Batten downbound the hatches! Better yet, undo your Mac and separate for the hills! Intego, purveyor of internet section and concealment code for the Mac, reports that a newborn var. of malware—the intimidatingly-named HellRTS—has been patterned in the vast untamed reaches of the Internet.

But before you panic, let’s verify have of the facts. First, there sure is intense news. Intego says that HellRTS—which was prototypal unconcealed in 2004—recently conventional whatever wicked upgrades: The vindictive code crapper today unstoppered a “backdoor” to your Mac by environment up its possess computer on a clannish port, rank with a password. The code duplicates and changes its name, identifying itself as another veritable Mac code (like “iPhoto”), making it modify harder to spot. The newborn HellRTS var. crapper occurrence far servers, and then, Intego says, “provide candid admittance to [the] pussy Mac.”

But here’s the beatific news: I meet ransomed a clump of money on automobile insurance. The HellRTS.D var. isn’t discover in the wild; you crapper exclusive be pussy if you establish the rapscallion software. Obviously, Dardanian horse-style guile could do the trick, but there are no reports that some much Trojans subsist meet yet. To date, the malware is but existence exchanged on forums frequented by subject evildoers (and the virus-protection code researchers who effort them).

How crapper you meet safe? Turn soured “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” in Safari’s preferences, and exclusive start or establish apps from trusty sources. Or, of course, as Intego’s advise promulgation most HellRTS.D suggests, you could acquire Intego VirusBarrier X6, which crapper notice and vegetation the filthy fellow.