Mac Defender is a fake rogue anti-spyware program for the Mac OS operating system.
This infection is spread through the use of advertisements on web sites
that pretend to be fake online scanners. When these fake scans are
finished, it will state that your computer is infected and then
automatically download
the Mac Defender program onto your computer. Once the program has
finished downloading, the installer will start and prompt you to install
the program.
Damage Control
If you used a credit card to pay for a supposed
antivirus subscription on your Mac you need to immediately call your credit card company, tell them you've been scammed and cancel the card used. Your card has been compromised.
If you typed any sort of personally information
into that scam program (name, address, phone number, email), remain on
high alert for followup scams coming through the mail, by phone and
online. By filling out the registration form in that scam, you added
yourself to a prospecting list for con artists. Be especially suspicious
should anyone contact you, offering to restore your privacy in return
for telling them a little more about yourself (driver's license number,
Social Security number, checking account, etc.). No legitimate caller
would ask you for secret numbers or passwords. If you call them, of
course, using a number from the phone book, or the back of your card, or
from a regular bill, that's different. The person whom you call does
legitimately need to ask you questions in order to know which account
you're calling about. But if someone calls you, asking for information,
beware.
Make your Mac more secure
1. Launch Safari.
2. From the Safari menu (to the left of File, Edit, etc.),
select the Preferences... option.
3. On the window which then appears, click General.
At the bottom of this window, there should be a checkbox
labeled Open "safe" files after downloading.
4. Make sure the box is NOT checked.
5. Close the Preferences window.
I thought Macs did not get Viruses?
Mac Defender is a Trojan Horse. It has to be installed. While it looks like it is trying to do protect you from computer viruses, it is in fact a sneak attack on you and your Mac. Your Mac should not be running virus protection software at this time. It will run much better without it and it is not necessary. However, that does not mean that you do not have to pay attention to what you install. If the source of a program is in question, do not install it.
Now you must uninstall Mac Defender if it has been installed.
Here are instructions on how. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, you can either bring me your Mac or I can come to your location. Just call 828/264 1948 to make arrangements.