Tech Shout!

Sophos announced that experts at SophosLabs, its global network of virus, spyware and spam analysis centers, have found out the first virus for the Apple Mac OS X platform. The virus, called OSX/Leap-A (also known as OSX/Oompa-A) spreads via instant messaging systems.

The OSX/Leap-A worm spreads via the iChat instant messaging system, forwarding itself as a file called latestpics.tgz to contacts on the infected users’ buddy list. When the latestpics.tgz archive file is opened on a computer it camouflages its contents with a JPEG graphic icon in an effort to trick people into thinking it is harmless.

The worm uses the text “oompa” as an infection marker in the resource forks of infected programs to prevent it from reinfecting the same files.

Senior technology consultant for Sophos, Graham Cluley said, “Some owners of Mac computers have held the belief that Mac OS X is incapable of harboring computer viruses, but Leap-A will leave them shellshocked, as it shows that the malware threat on Mac OS X is real.” Cluley added, “Mac users shouldn’t think it’s okay to lie back and not worry about viruses.”

Sophos said it is continuing to study OSX/Leap-A and will issue further information soon. Sophos customers have been automatically protected against the worm.

“This is the first real virus for the Mac OS X platform,” said Cluley. “Apple Mac users need to be just as careful running unknown or unsolicited code on their computers as their friends and colleagues running Windows.”

Sophos has advised all computer users, whether running PCs or Macs, to observe safe computing and keep their anti-virus software updated.

To know more click here.