Beware Of Java 7 Exploit, Labeled “Super Dangerous” For Macs

A Mac computer is light-years ahead of a Windows computer in terms of security, they do however experience rare exploits a few times a year. Earlier this year nearly 600,000 Macs were affected by Flashback malware, spread through Java. Only days later, a trojan called ‘LuckyCat‘ took advantage of an exploit in Microsoft Word on the Mac.

Once again, Macs are experiencing a similar situation, as a new Java 7 exploit is spreading through Macs. If you have updated Java 7 to “update 6,” there is a chance you could be affected. Your machine can be injected through any browser on a Mac, Windows, or Linux computer.

ComputerWorld describes how you may be affected:

Beardsley called the bug “super dangerous,” noting that it was “totally a drive by,” meaning that attackers could compromise a Mac, or other personal computers, simply by duping users into browsing to a malicious or previously-hacked website that hosts the attack code.

All Mac systems are generally vulnerable. Even Mountain Lion and Lion have the ability to be affected; the Snow Leopard and Leopard operating system just have a more immense vulnerability rate.

The exploit was just made public less than 24 hours ago, usually Java’s creator Oracle is fast at patching issues, but until then you may want to disable Java on your system.

 

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