Mac OS X update to close Flashback botnet vulnerability

Apple has Java 6 update 31 for OS X that closes multiple vulnerabilities found in Java 6 Update 29.  The update is needed to close the vulnerability allowing malicious code to be executed by visiting a rogue website. The update is available fir Mac OS X v10.6.8, Mac OS X Server v10.6.8, OS X Lion v10.7.3, or Lion Server v10.7.3.

Dr. Web estimates that about over 550,000 Macs are now infected by the Flashback botnet. It is an estimated that about 500 Mac users in the Philippines are affected by this exploit. Flashback botnet has been in the wild for about 8 weeks.

Security company F-Secure has instructions for detecting and deleting the Flashback botnet on infected computers. It may be time to consider installing antivirus and anti malware protection on you Mac. Sophos Offers a free antivirus solution for Mac OS X. With Mac OS tripling its market share over the past 8 years, it has become the subject of more interest from producers of Malware. This is the second major attach on Mac OS X in the past year.