A newly identified Trojan horse targeting Macs was responsible for the recent hacks into Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and other companies, an investigative security news site has discovered. The Trojan, called Pintsized, got past Mac OS X's built-in Gatekeeper security software through an undisclosed exploit and then disguised itself as a common printing file,. Pintsized was first detected and identified in mid-February by anti-virus software makers. During its into company networks in January, the malware was effectively a 'zero-day' exploit, or one unknown to defenders. It was dropped on Macs by a different zero-day, a Java-based that was embedded on compromised websites frequented by mobile-app developers as part of a 'watering hole' attack.
Broad range of targets However, The Security Ledger's sources, not all of whom were willing to go on the record, said many websites besides those of interest to app developers were used to distribute malware through the Java exploit. 'The breadth of types of services and entities targeted does not reflect a targeted attack on a single tech or industry sector,' Facebook Chief of Security Joe Sullivan told The Security Ledger. The initial infection stage was able to determine whether the targeted Web browser was running on a PC or a Mac, and accordingly chose the malware to be delivered. Furthermore, not every machine that visited the corrupted websites was infected. 'We're still investigating why only certain users were affected, whether there was a pattern and how many may have been targeted,' said Ian Sefferman of iPhoneDevSDK.com, one of the corrupted sites.
Evading the guards was trumpeted by Apple as a major security addition to Mac OS X when it was introduced with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion last July, and was retroactively added to OS X 10.7 Lion with an October software update. Gatekeeper controls which applications can be installed on Mac OS X; its highest setting allows only applications downloaded directly from the Mac App Store. However, the default setting also allows applications from any source, as long as they're digitally signed by Apple developers. The lowest setting allows all applications.
It's not clear whether Pintsized uses a stolen or forged developer signature to get past Gatekeeper, or if it somehow tweaks Gatekeeper's settings to allow all installations. What is clear is that Apple's built-in defenses for Mac OS X aren't enough. Mac owners, like their PC counterparts, need to install and run decent third-party to increase their odds against infection. © 2012 TechNewsDaily.
Professional Automotive Tools and Tool Truck Franchise Opportunities Available Worldwide from Mac Tools Since 1938, Mac Tools has offered professional-grade automotive tools that let mechanics and technicians work efficiently on a wide range of vehicles. Our products are delivered directly to body shops, training centers, professional garages, and other maintenance facilities around the world by a network of more than 1,200 dedicated franchisees and distributors who operate our iconic tool trucks in communities across North America and beyond.view more.
By making tens of thousands of high-quality tools, pieces of shop equipment, and tool storage systems readily available to these experts and providing the ongoing support they need, Mac Tools has become one of the most trusted names in the professional tool market. We're proud to continue developing innovative products that meet the demands of automotive professionals. Every tool we create, from and to utility carts and chests, is designed with our company's automotive focus in mind. We take time to observe how professionals operate in the garage and design our tools to fit the way they work. This means that we choose materials that have a high strength-to-weight ratio for our products, which makes using our tools less fatiguing while still ensuring they can withstand the punishing environment of a professional garage. Mac Tools products also feature highly ergonomic designs that are not only more comfortable to use, but that also more precisely and efficiently apply torque, tension, or whatever force is required for a job.
To ensure that these design elements make our products Great to Work With™, we even manufacture many of them here in the U.S.A., where we adhere to the strictest quality standards. Our ability to create these types of specialty automotive tools is clearly reflected in our close partnership with many of the top motorsport racing teams in NASCAR and the NHRA, who consistently work on some of the most high-performance vehicles in the world.
In fact, we even work in conjunction with many of these professionals to refine our tools' designs, ensuring Mac Tools products meet the needs of even the most expert mechanics. Additionally, our ties to Stanley Black & Decker provide us with access to many advanced tool technologies, such as DeWalt's advanced lithium ion battery technology featured in our innovative line of tools. This impeccable industrial pedigree makes our tools the ideal choice for any automotive professional looking to be taken seriously. We can provide a wealth of information to anyone interested in starting a tool truck business and perform a complimentary screening to see if they're eligible for our program. If you go through our screening process and qualify, we can arrange a ride along for you with one of our franchisees in your area. You'll have the chance to see what running a tool truck entails, so you can decide whether this small business opportunity is right for you. Once you are ready to start, we'll connect you with an on-boarding manager, who can provide you with all the information you'll need to get your new business' infrastructure in place.
Then you'll attend our in-depth Tool School, where you'll learn about the many products Mac Tools offers, some strategies for making sales from on the road, and our Mobile Business Assistant (MBA). Providing you with our MBA software is one of the key advantages we offer as a franchisor, as it consolidates a wide range of business management applications and a purchasing system all in a single, easy-to-use application.
After Tool School, you'll work with an experienced district manager and business analyst, who will help you get comfortable with operating your business. These professionals, and our expert product specialists, are always available to answer questions you may have about Mac Tools products or running your tool truck, so you can always get the support you need. We also want you to feel rewarded as a owner so you can be Great to Work With™, just like our tools. This is why we offer a number of incentive programs, such as our Mac Performance Rewards program which provides an annual rebate to all Mac Tools owners based on their past year's performance. Top franchisees are also inducted into our President's Club each year at a black-tie event during our annual Tool Fair, in recognition of their accomplishments. We present the Serediak Award during this event as well, recognizing one of our annual top Eagle Award winners who achieve success in sales volume, growth, recruiting, leadership, and overall commitment to improving the Mac Tools organization.
Paul Wagenseil On Twitter: Free Ride For Mac 2017
To learn more about starting a Mac Tools franchise or about any of our high-quality products, contact Mac Tools today. We're proud to offer these quality automotive tools and small business opportunities worldwide. Call 877.MACTOOLS or .