Rachel and Cal have a spat about the SMACKDOWN netbook purchase.  We also have JEFF POWERS from GEEKAZINE.COM.  We discuss Windows Security Essentials and Netbook Collusion.

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From Appleinsider:

Tens of thousands of users who’ve downloaded pirated versions of iWork ‘09 or Photoshop CS4 may have opened their Macs to remote attacks from malicious users.

iWork ‘09

Mac security software maker Intego discovered last week what it calls “OSX.Trojan.iServices.A” in pirated copies of Apple’s iWork ‘09 making the rounds on BitTorrent file sharing networks.  An additional package not found in retail copies of the iWork installer called “iWorkServices.pkg” is installed as a startup item with read/write/execute abilities with the pirated versions.

According to Intego, the rogue software connects to a remote server to notify its creator that the trojan has been installed on different Macs, and he or she can “connect to them and perform various actions remotely”, including downloading additional components to the machine.

Intego considers the risk of infection to be serious, warning of “extremely serious consequences” if a user’s Mac is compromised by software. The security firm said 20,000 people had already downloaded the installer at the time of its alert.  As of now, Intego counts 1,000 more since the initial warning.

I know a lot of people (Rachel) are going to jump on the wagon of “see…see…macs are vulnerable…you can get exploits…see…see.”

Before the deluge of ranting begins (see next cagematch this Thursday) please allow me to say that it has never been said that OSX is invulnerable, and completly safe from exploits.  However, let me make this perfectly clear, if you are brave enough to pirate software then you must have the courage to risk getting exploited with malicious code every once in a while.  That is just the risk and the price you pay when you go surfing through the “torrent” of life.

Ok, was listening to Leo Lapotre and friends on Mac Break Weekly and he mentioned a free anti-virus for OSX called ClamXav.  This is a free open soruce program and seems to be very easy to use.  The whole program is only 26.6 Meg!

I do want to make it known that I just installed this anti-virus so I’m practicing what I’m preaching from the show.  My advice, go ahead and get yourself some!

ClamXav Link

Cal