Go Symbol Lookup
Loading...

Apple Releases Security Fix for Malware Attack

 Text Size  
Published: Wednesday, 20 Feb 2013 | 11:32 AM ET
thompson_cadie_2010_100.jpg By:

Technology Editor, CNBC.com

Getty Images
Apple Mac Air

Apple released a security update after a small number of Macs were infected by malware.

The security fix can be downloaded here.

Earlier, Apple said Tuesday that some Mac computers were the target of a cyberattack conducted by the same hackers that targeted Facebook last week.

(Read More: Facebook Reveals Hack Attack, Says User Data Not Compromised)

"Apple has identified malware which infected a limited number of Mac systems through a vulnerability in the Java plug-in for browsers. The malware was employed in an attack against Apple and other companies, and was spread through a website for software developers. We identified a small number of systems within Apple that were infected and isolated them from our network. There is no evidence that any data left Apple. We are working closely with law enforcement to find the source of the malware," the company said in a statement to CNBC.

In separate hacking attacks Tuesday, Jeep's Twitter account was also breached.

(Read More: Jeep Becomes Latest Victim of Twitter Hack Attack )

The hackers took over Jeep's account and sent unofficial tweets. The hackers also wrote on Jeep's Twitter account that the company was being sold to Cadillac.

Cadillac said in a tweet shortly after the attack on Jeep's Twitter account that it was not connected to the hack.

Apple Says Targeted by Hackers
Apple has identified malware which infected a limited number of Mac systems through a vulnerability in the Java plug-in for browsers, reports CNBC's Jon Fortt.

(Read More: 10 Ways Companies Get Hacked )

Java, which is a widely used programming language, has a history as being used as a point of entry for cybercriminals. In fact, according to a report by the security firm Kaspersky Labs, half of all detected attacks in 2012 were caused by exploiting vulnerabilities in Java software.

(Read More: This Company Profits From Cyberwars )

In January, Oracle said it fixed a flaw in its Java software, but the Department of Homeland Security still urged people to disable the feature unless absolutely necessary.

On Friday, Facebook said it was the victim of a "sophisticated attack" that infected a small number of employees' computers when they visited a mobile developer website. But the company said that they had found no evidence that user data were jeopardized.

(Read More: Americans Willing to Spend More to Thwart Cyber Attacks: Survey )

 Print
Apple released a security update after a small number of Macs were infected by malware.
  Price   Change %Change
AAPL ---
FB ---
ORCL ---

   
Comments

 

More Comments

 
 

Add Comments

 

Your Comments (Up to 1100 characters):

Remaining characters

Your comments have not been posted yet.

Please review your submission to make sure you are comfortable with your entry.

Your Comments:


                
            
            
        

Featured

Contact Technology

  • Editor of CNBC.com's Tech Section, always plugged in and yet also wireless.

  • Working from Los Angeles, Boorstin is CNBC's media and entertainment reporter and author of CNBC.com's "Media Money" blog.

  • Fortt is CNBC's technology correspondent, working from CNBC's Silicon Valley bureau and contributes to "Tech Check" on CNBC.com.