Security experts have found a virus, ‘OSX.Macarena’, which targets Mac OS X. Even though this virus is a low level threat and virtually harmless, researchers are saying it’s a “wake up call to Mac users”.

Symantec has classified the virus as a level-one ‘very low’ threat, as it lacks a ‘payload’ or any sort of malicious instructions other than simply to replicate itself. The security firm said that, once ‘OSX.Macarena’ is launched, it infects every file located in the same folder. Symantec confirmed that there were fewer than 50 confirmed cases of infection.

“This was a proof-of-concept. OSX.Macarena does not have a payload, so there is not a danger of people having a problem today, but it is certainly a warning sign that threats like this could come,” said Kelly Martin, group project manager at Symantec’s security response unit. The virus author may well have had this in mind, according to Martin. “We think it could be someone trying to prove that the Mac is not as secure as people think it is,” she said.

Macarena isn’t the first piece of malware capable of infecting OS X machines. Of the little Mac OS X pathogens ever created only the Leap Trojan, which spreads via the iChat instant messaging system, has been seen in action.

Via PC Authority

Security experts have found a virus, ‘OSX.Macarena’, which targets Mac OS X. Even though this virus is a low level threat and virtually harmless, researchers are saying it’s a “wake up call to Mac users”.

Symantec has classified the virus as a level-one ‘very low’ threat, as it lacks a ‘payload’ or any sort of malicious instructions other than simply to replicate itself. The security firm said that, once ‘OSX.Macarena’ is launched, it infects every file located in the same folder. Symantec confirmed that there were fewer than 50 confirmed cases of infection.

“This was a proof-of-concept. OSX.Macarena does not have a payload, so there is not a danger of people having a problem today, but it is certainly a warning sign that threats like this could come,” said Kelly Martin, group project manager at Symantec’s security response unit. The virus author may well have had this in mind, according to Martin. “We think it could be someone trying to prove that the Mac is not as secure as people think it is,” she said.

Macarena isn’t the first piece of malware capable of infecting OS X machines. Of the little Mac OS X pathogens ever created only the Leap Trojan, which spreads via the iChat instant messaging system, has been seen in action.

Via PC Authority