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Trojan Horse Removal

I have Norton AntiVirus for Mac which runs a full scan once a month. My recent scan shows 4 trojan horses all with the same name in the Java/Cache/6.0/33 file. Norton is unable to remove, quarantine or fix these. I've Googled the virus and no results show up so I don't know if this is a true Tojan Horse or a problem with Norton detection. I have Apple Care so can take the laptop in to the Apple store but not sure if it's necessary yet. The laptop does connect to a wireless drive at my office that is Windows based. Any ideas are welcome - Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on May 4, 2010 4:12 AM

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22 replies

May 5, 2010 12:03 AM in response to Travis A.

OMGosh... I think I may know this one. (I generally don't speak mac or pc). I'm a first time mac user for now three weeks. last weekend, after surfing all day, my PB had some scary box open with "DANGER" blah blah... than lots of horse blah blah..."INFECTED"

I freaked out and asked my husband and he told me to get off line! and started out to the store with "I told you so" to get some virus soft w.

Than I remembered that I read something about how Apple is safest and doesn't get virus or something. so I searched for a bit but couldn't get a quick answer on line. so, I grabbed my PB and ran to the nearest Apple store.

After quick look, apple guys said that it was all a bloody marketing scam to scare people to buy their soft w. He was right, as soon as we rebooted, all was fine. He explained something about why apple isn't open to these sickness like PC...blah, blah... I didn't understand and I was looking at all the pretty apples that I had already planned on switching my entire house with... LOL. My husband would have an attack of some sort.

So, I hope this is the same case for you. My husband still don't believe or understand why apple isn't open to same thing as PC. To his defense, I have seen soft w. for virus for mac. so..... can someone answer if I need to purchase virus SW like my husband PC?
AND please to all the SMART apple guys out there, simple yes or no in English would be so appreciate it. Not that I hear "blah blah" when u speak apple, but I just want to understand what II need to know. THANK U APPLE GUYS!! UR AWSOME.

May 5, 2010 1:25 AM in response to cocojames

Cocojames, you should really start your own thread, but a basic reason why OS X is not open to this type of attack is because to install anything, you need to enter a password. It is more complex than that, but the way the operating system works is not the same as Windows.

I do not use virus software usually, but I have one program installed (I last ran it a few months ago). It is ClamXav and is donation-ware (if you like it, send the developer something).

May 5, 2010 9:12 AM in response to cocojames

No there is no need to run antivirus software. Rather than reading people's opinions though (such as mine) let's see what Apple has to say.

*Doesn't get PC viruses.*

*Designed with security in mind, Mac OS X isn’t plagued by constant attacks from PC viruses and malware. Likewise, it won’t slow you down with constant security alerts and sweeps. Every Mac is secure right out of the box, so you can safely go about your work — or play — without interruption*

So that is the definitive word on PC virus's so how about Mac virus's, well the good news there are zero, yes zero Mac virus's. Therefore if Mac's aren't plagued by PC virus's and there are zero Mac virus's that makes using antivirus software unnecessary. That being said if you are still a disbeliever then download and use ClamAV, it's free and if you research these forums will find it's generally accepted as the tool to use.

May 5, 2010 9:42 AM in response to cocojames

Coco: You can lead hubby to the Mac, but you can't make him use it. He's probably too attached to all that Windoze malware and anti-malware that occupies his time. He won't know what to do with himself if he finds himself with time to actually USE a computer, instead of just maintaining and protecting it.

May 5, 2010 10:01 AM in response to eww

Eww- Missed u! and your crunching comments. Yes,he will hate me at first but once he plays his stupid game on it and realize that he is not spending time running virus crap, he will be happy.

Regards to crunching comments, did enjoy you crunching on the subject of new vs used mac purchase. You think like my husband. "it does what you want it to do why spend the Money? it's ********" U two are probably right... but I want the greatest just in case I need greatest!!!

May 5, 2010 6:44 PM in response to cocojames

As rkauffman writes, there is no need. I mean I have it on my Mac but the last time I ran it was a long time ago (indeed, the only thing it ever found was a suspect mail message that I had deliberately kept).

I think you nail it yourself later when you write, "realize that he is not spending time running virus crap, he will be happy."

As an addition, I found a note on malware by a long-time user that may also help.

Enjoy your Mac.

May 6, 2010 12:58 AM in response to cocojames

Over the last few years considerably more games have been developed for the PC platform than for Macs and OS X. The difference (and this works to your benefit for Macs) is that a program written for a PC will not run on a Mac, unless it is recompiled: made to work with the operating system. For some games that process is relatively easy; for others, particularly older games, it is hard. So if there is a specific game that he wants to play, a Mac probably will not do.

At my house there are Macs for work and a friend has a PC for games. A basic computer can be had fairly cheaply, but may well need a fast graphics processor to play some games.

Trojan Horse Removal

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