Apple's Flashback malware removal tool will remove the most common variants of the Flashback malware. This update is recommended for all OS X 10.7 Lion users without Java installed. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will be presented notifying the user that malware was removed. Mac OS X, version 10.3 and earlier: uninstall_flash_player_osx_10.2.dmg (1.3 MB) (updated 05/27/08) Choose Window > Downloads to view the downloaded uninstaller. Save the uninstaller file in a convenient location.
Flashback Removal Security Update can be downloaded and installed via Software Update preferences, or from Apple Downloads.
For the protection of our customers, Apple does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until a full investigation has occurred and any necessary patches or releases are available. To learn more about Apple Product Security, see the Apple Product Security website.
Not only has Apple strengthened Leopard with the release of a dedicated security update, but the Mac maker has also rolled out Flashback Removal Security Update v1.0 for Mac OS X v10.5.8.
For information about the Apple Product Security PGP Key, see 'How to use the Apple Product Security PGP Key.'
Where possible, CVE IDs are used to reference the vulnerabilities for further information.
To learn about other Security Updates, see 'Apple Security Updates'.
Flashback Removal Security Update
Malware removal
Available for: Mac OS X v10.5 through v10.5.8
Impact: A Flashback malware removal tool will be run
Description: This update runs a malware removal tool that will remove the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, it presents a dialog notifying the user that malware was removed. There is no indication to the user if malware is not found.
Apple releases update to Leopard, includes Flashback removal tool
While Apple has released updates for both Lion and Snow Leopard to remove the Flashback malware that is making the rounds, the company had not released a fix for Leopard until today. Apple released a Flashback Removal Security Update for Leopard this afternoon that weighs 1.23MB. Along with removing the Flashback malware, it also disables the Java plug-in in Safari. Apple described the update:
This update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will notify you that malware was removed. In some cases, the update may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware…To improve the security of your Mac, this update also disables the Java plug-in in Safari.
Microsoft Security Update
Apple also released Security Update 2012-003 for Leopard that “disables versions of Adobe Flash Player that do not include the latest security updates and provides the option to get the current version from Adobe’s website.” A similar update was issued for Lion and Snow Leopard in Safari 5.1.7, which released with OS X 10.7.4 late last week—hit up Software Update.
Download Flashback Removal Security Update For Mac
This is the first major update Apple has released for Leopard since Lion debuted last July. Unlike Adobe, it looks like Apple is devoted to keep its old products up-to-date—even if the update is a few weeks behind. For those of you unaware, Adobe recently told users to upgrade from CS5 to CS6 to avoid a security flaw in older versions of software, instead of just patching it. However, Adobe quickly backed down after receiving a ton of backlash from the community and promised an update in the coming weeks. Still sketchy.
- Apple fixes Flashback malware with software update (9to5mac.com)
- Apple developing tool to detect and remove Flashback malware (9to5mac.com)
- Flashback malware still on 140,000 Macs, despite Apple’s fix (9to5mac.com)