Apple Releases Security Update to Remove MAC Defender

Apple has released a Security Update to Mac OS X that removes MAC Defender.

Security Update 2011-003 is recommended for all users and improves the security of Mac OS X.

Security Update 2011-003


File Quarantine
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7

Impact: Definition added

Description: The OSX.MacDefender.A definition has been added to the malware check within File Quarantine. Information on File Quarantine is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3662

File Quarantine
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7


Impact: Automatically update the known malware definitions

Description: The system will check daily for updates to the File Quarantine malware definition list. An opt-out capability is provided via the "Automatically update safe downloads list" checkbox in Security Preferences. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

Malware removal
Available for: Mac OS X v10.6.7, Mac OS X Server v10.6.7

Impact: Remove the MacDefender malware if detected

Description: The installation process for this update will search for and remove known variants of the MacDefender malware. If a known variant was detected and removed, the user will be notified via an alert after the update is installed. Additional information is available in this Knowledge Base article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

You can install the security update by selecting Software Update from the Apple menu at the top left of your screen.