Mac OS X computer users have been able to feel relatively safe from computer malware threats over the past several years. Unfortunately, there has been a new version of the Blackhole RAT Trojan virus discovered recently. The Trojan targets the Mac OS X operating System and is in active development with updates being released as the malware author proceeds with development. This virus has the ability to be an annoyance as well as shutdown your computer if left un-checked.
How Does Blackhole Rat Trojan Infect Your Computer?
The Blackhole RAT Trojan is currently designed to infect the targeted computer by tricking the user into downloading the server component of the software and installing it on their Mac OS X. This component can be disguised to appear as a different program in order to help convince the end-user to download the file. Some of these include being a fake Safari or Java update that appears to be legitimate until installed on your computer. Previously, the Boonana Trojan Horse that targeted the Mac OS X in addition to Windows and Linux OS’s used a fake Java update to trick users into downloading the malware.
What Does the Blackhole RAT Trojan Virus Do?
The Blackhole RAT Trojan will do the following once it has infected your computer:
- Add itself to the start-up items.
- Execute shell scrips.
- Request the admin password and store it to a file.
- Erase the Activity Window.
- Flood your computer’s hard drive with random information.
- Shut down your computer.
- Change the permission of the activity window.
- Take a snapshot with the iSight camera.
- Disable the display on your computer.
How Can You Combat the Blackhole RAT Trojan Virus?
The Blackhole RAT Trojan does not have a stealth mode for running, so it can be terminated using the Activity Monitor if you can see the data displayed on the screen. The next best means to combat the virus is to keep an updated antivirus program installed on your Mac to help guard against the Trojan virus and remove it if the computer becomes infected.
Are Antivirus Programs Updated for the Blackhole RAT Trojan Virus?
As information becomes known about the variants of the Blackhole RAT Trojan releasd into the wild, the MacScan antivirus and other computer security applications for the Mac are being released to guard against the virus. Since the virus is in active development, Mac users should use caution when downloading applications and other files from the Internet to prevent inadvertent infection by the Blackhole RAT Trojan.
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