Snow Leopard includes antivirus software?

Rumours suggest Apple worried about malware

Snow Leopard includes antivirus software?

26 August 2009 17:02 GMT / By Duncan Geere

If rumours are true, then the next version of OS X - Snow Leopard - contains baked-in antivirus software. A screenshot has surfaced of a DMG downloaded by Safari being stopped in its tracks by the operating system.

The dialog box names the virus as "OSX.RSPlug.A" then prompts the user to eject the disk image. It's not clear where it's getting the virus definitions from or how often they're updated - something that's key to any effective virus prevention strategy.

Earlier in the year, Sophos warned Mac users to "be on their guard" for websites hosting malware that targets Apple computers. Traditionally, the company hasn't had a large enough marketshare to bother about malware in the same way the Windows users have to.

We'll be able to confirm or deny this report when Snow Leopard is released, on 28 August.

Via: engadget.com

Full tags

Software, Apple, Sophos, Viruses And Malware, Snow Leopard, Rumours