Mac Flashback malware operators making big money

Mac Flashback malware operators making big money
Does everyone remember Flashback, the malware infecting hundreds of thousands of Macs? Well it appears the operators of the trojan are netting over $10,000 per day from its victims.

The news comes via Symantec, the security firm behind Norton.



At its peak, over 600,000 Macs were infected with Flashback but after a media push and Apple's release of a patch for a certain vulnerability, that number has been cut in half, at least.

Despite Apple's proactive stance, there was still a six-week delay before a patch was released, giving the malware ample time to infect more devices. "This window of opportunity helped the Flashback Trojan to infect Macs on a large scale. The Flashback authors took advantage of the gap between Oracle and Apple's patches by exploiting vulnerable websites using WordPress and Joomla to add malicious code snippets," adds Symantec.

Because the malware redirects users to websites created by the operators, who receive money from advertisers, the scheme is bringing in about $10,000 a day in revenue, notes Symantec.

For more information on the malware, check our previous reports here and here.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 1 May 2012 13:34
Tags
Mac Apple flashback
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  • 4 comments
  • i1der

    is not illegal to send virus to people computes?
    That is probably the easiest way to catch these virus makers. i still don't understand how nothing is done to them, maybe i should make a virus as well

    1.5.2012 15:42 #1

  • GryphB

    How I'm not crying for those sad apple fans and users. Welcome to the PC's world now that there are more of you available.

    1.5.2012 22:15 #2

  • SomeBozo

    Originally posted by i1der: is not illegal to send virus to people computes?
    That is probably the easiest way to catch these virus makers. i still don't understand how nothing is done to them, maybe i should make a virus as well
    Might want to brush up on the laws, it is in fact a crime to send out malicious software intending to effect them. While it seems this virus only redirects people to a given web site, if law enforcement goes after and finds the creator of the virus, i wouldn't want to be in their shoes...


    1.5.2012 22:47 #3

  • iz0nlee

    Originally posted by SomeBozo: Originally posted by i1der: is not illegal to send virus to people computes?
    That is probably the easiest way to catch these virus makers. i still don't understand how nothing is done to them, maybe i should make a virus as well
    Might want to brush up on the laws, it is in fact a crime to send out malicious software intending to effect them. While it seems this virus only redirects people to a given web site, if law enforcement goes after and finds the creator of the virus, i wouldn't want to be in their shoes...

    I wouldnt want to be in their shoes if the affected computer owners catch them first

    2.5.2012 05:28 #4

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