Hackers launch a troubling attack on Macs

Given Apple's and The Jerk's complacency and arrogance, this was just a matter of time.

Apple on Thursday confirmed reports of pornography Web sites where hidden software, once downloaded, could take control of an Apple computer. Apple did not immediately respond to claims that it is the first instance of a Trojan horse attack on Apple's Macintosh platform.

"We've been made aware that a small number of Web sites attempt to trick Mac OS X users to install malicious software on their Macs," said Apple spokeswoman Lynn Fox. "Apple has a great track record for keeping Mac OS X users secure, and as always, we encourage people to install software only from trusted sources."

The timing of the Trojan horse suggests there are more to come, say some computer and Internet security professionals. As Apple's popularity rises, "the bad guys are taking Macs seriously now," wrote Bojan Zdrnja, of the Internet Storm Center, which is led by the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies.

After confirming the claims reported by computer-security firm Intego, Symantec engineer Joji Hamada wrote on Symantec's Web site of suspicions that a wave of attacks and viruses are due. "If we see a rise in Mac malware, then we will have to assume that there are profits to be made in malware for Macs as well," he wrote. "Stay tuned.

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