Gird those loins Mac users, it looks like someone’s actually going to attempt to attack the OS X platform and you don’t want to be the person who unknowingly clicks the “Accept” button and messes up your system.
Extreme Tech: The worm is called OSX/Leap-A, according to a posting on the Web site of antivirus software company Sophos, which said the worm is spread via instant messaging programs.
The worm attempts to spread via Apple’s iChat instant messaging program, which is compatible with America Online’s popular AIM instant messaging program, according to the Sophos Web site.
The worm sends itself to available contacts on the infected users’ buddy list in a file called “latestpics.tgz,” according to the Sophos Web site.
The vast majority of malicious hacks are aimed at Microsoft Corp.’s Windows operating system and some of its products, largely because Microsoft has more than 90 percent of the market for computer operating systems.
“This first Macintosh OS X threat is an example of the continuing spread of malicious code on to other platforms,” said Vincent Weafer, senior director at Symantec Security Response, in a statement.
The worm will not automatically infect Mac computers, but will ask users to accept the file, Weafer said.