by Carol Smith

Created on: April 12, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2008

Are Macintosh computers safe from online threats? The answer has to be a resounding NO. Until now it is true that there have been few viruses, worms or Trojans aimed directly at them. But the writers of such malware love a challenge and the thrill of being noticed. Macintosh computers are becoming more popular. More popular means more, perceived, kudos for malware writers.

Windows users have long known that they are vulnerable and know to use proper security systems on their computers. Complacent Macintosh users will soon find out why the millions of Windows users employ sensible protection.

At the time of writing this article there is a Trojan DNS changer aimed at Macintosh computers. This nasty piece of code hijacks your internet settings and usually redirects you to a pornographic website. Not pleasant if your computer is used by younger or elderly members of your family. These Trojans make it virtually impossible for you to use the internet, redirecting you at every possible opportunity to a site or sites you do not want to visit.

Now that the malware writers have started attacking Macintosh computers, and getting attention and, in the case of pornographic sites, monetary gain from their attacks they can and will continue. The number of malware infections capable of infection Macintoshes will rise. The plethora of malware aimed at Windows users started with a single attack. Malware writers are becoming ever more ingenious. They are intelligent people, itching for a, misguided, challenge. The increase in the number of Macintosh users means more malware writers aiming to infect their computers. It also means that more malware writers are themselves Macintosh users and are making daily use of the very tool they need to break into your Macintosh.

Don't wait until your computer has been infected before putting proper protection in place. Many a Windows user has learnt the value of protection the hard way. The computer has to go back to the shop to have its hard drive reformatted and operating system reinstalled. All their software and drivers have to be reinstalled. Their documents have to be reloaded assuming they were sensible enough to have backup copies. If you are running a business that relies on Macintosh users it is essential to have adequate protection in place. Complacency is not the way forward. Don't be caught with your defences down.

So what protection do you need? Firstly you need effective, Mac compatible, anti virus software . This will help prevent

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