Category: Apple

OSX.RSPlug.A Trojan Horse

A company named Intego apparently found a malicious Trojan Horse that actually is harmful (OS X attacks and exploits were previously developed that lacked malicious power).  According to Intego the Trojan Horse:

…disguises itself as a video codec that offers access to a pornographic video…and users attempting to install the codec receive a piece of malware classified as a ‘DNS Changer’ which modifies the way OS X handles the DNS requests used to link numerical IP addresses to web URLs.

The tool allows the attackers to redirect web traffic. Users attempting to visit PayPal, eBay or certain banking sites, for instance, will be directed to a phishing website instead.

You will see something like:

Quicktime Player is unable to play movie file.
Please click here to download new version of codec.

Read more about OSX.RSPlug.A.  And just keep in mind that “a spokesperson for Symantec suggested that Intego “has a tendency to over-hype things.”

The complete guide to Mac/Windows Interoperability

Here’s an excellent post from Lifehacker, the Geek To Live site, that shows you how to make Mac OS and Windows work together in harmony.

It covers file sharing, file and application compatibility, file sync and system files, printer and fax sharing, running Windows on your Mac, remote server access, and finally iTunes and your iPod.  It ends with a comprehensive guide to switching to a Mac.

Sweet!  =0)

Print Screen in Mac OS X under Parallels

If you’re a Mac convert using Parallels to run Windows, you’re probably wondering where the Print Screen (used for screen captures in Windows) OS X is.  Well, unfortunately, there’s no exact keyboard stroke for it; however equivalent; however, you can either use a third-party app like SnagIT, or go the smarter route by using the Windows built-in On-Screen Keyboard tool. 

To access it:

1. Go to Start > Run.

2. Type osk then hit Enter.

If all went well, you should see something like this:

image

Voila!  You can click the psc key to copy any image (e.g., your desktop) into the [Windows] clipboard, which you can then paste into MS Paint to manipulate to your liking. 

Hope this tip helps.

OS X Leopard in 10 days

I just read that Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard will be released in 10 days for $129 ($199 for a family pack).  You can now pre-order it via Apple’s online store. 

The new features:

Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard features a stunning new look across the entireimage system including a sleek new Dock with Stacks, a simple way to quickly organize and access your files. You can use Cover Flow to see your files in the Finder and browse through them like you browse through album art in iTunes. Quick Look gives you instant, full size previews of your documents, images and movies without opening an application. And Time Machine provides an effortless way to automatically backup everything on your Mac. These innovations plus Spaces, Boot Camp and major enhancements to Mail and iChat, make Leopard and its more than 300 new features the richest release of Mac OS X yet.

Go here to read more.