Cyber criminals move beyond Windows

ORGANISED criminals involved in cyber attacks aimed at stealing IDs and money are moving beyond Windows, and are for the first time knocking loudly at the doors of Macintosh and Linus-based systems, experts warn.

Tech security and control firm Sophos has published in its Security Threat Report 2008 found Apple was a significant target of criminal hackers in 2007, and that the threat would expand in 2008.

While Malware for Macs has been seen before, the Sophos reports that malicious code seemed for the first time to have been written by financially-motivated hackers who saw an opportunity.

“No-one should underestimate the significance of financially-motivated malware arriving for Apple Macs at the end of 2007,” Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley said.

“Although Macs have a long way to go in the popularity stakes before they overtake PCs, particularly in the workplace, their increased attractiveness to consumers has proven irresistible to some criminal cybergangs.,” Mr Cluley said.

The Sophos' Threat Report also reveals that the wider use of new mobile technologies and wi-fi enabled devices, like the iPhone and iPod Touch, may be opening up new vectors of attack for hackers.

Flaws have been found in the mobile email program and Safari browser installed on such devices. But while uptake remains limited cyber-criminals are unlikely to exploit these avenues on a major scale in the near future. However, as personal wi-fi devices grow in popularity, the risks will no doubt increase.

Sophos experts also said that the low cost ultra-mobile PCs, such as the popular Linux-based ASUS EEE laptop, will gain the attention of the cyber underworld as sales continue to grow.

“The ultra-mobile ASUS EEE laptop, like many others, comes pre-installed with Unix, making it automatically immune to the vast majority of spyware and malware attacks,” Mr Cluley said.

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Apple polishes shiny new iMacs

APPLE has freshened its line of popular iMac desktops with new models that are slimmer, more powerful and have bigger screens.

Typical of a new Apple launch, the systems are at the cutting edge of industrial design, with widescreen displays and aluminium and polished-glass cases.

In Australia the new models come with a starting price-tag of A$1,698 for the 20-inch model – about A$600 less that the previous low-end model. The 24-inch iMac model starts at A$2,599.

The new models redefine the iMac signature all-in-one design, where the entire computer system is integrated into a sleek, professional aluminium enclosure for a striking, clutter-free desktop.

“This new iMac is the most incredible desktop computer we’ve ever made,” said Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs.

“Our new design features the innovative use of materials, including professional-grade aluminium and glass that are highly recyclable.”

The machines all feature the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors running up to 2.8GHz with 4MB of shared L2 cache and up to 4GB SDRAM.

They also feature next-generation graphics from ATI. The new iMac also offers up to 1TB of internal storage to accommodate a user’s growing library of digital photos, movies and music.

The iMac includes built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi networking, delivering up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g; Gigabit Ethernet; and five USB 2.0 ports – including two on the keyboard.

The machines also have one FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port.
The new iMac line is available immediately through Apple Store online and Apple Authorised Resellers. A new Apple Wireless Keyboard will ship by the end of August.

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Don’t get up: Apple TV ships with remote

APPLE has started shipping its much anticipated wireless set-top box that lets users view content from a personal computer (or Macintosh) on their widescreen television.

Priced at US$299 (A$370), the Apple TV works with users’ existing WiFi network, as well as 802.11n, the newest and fastest version of the WiFI standard.

The product will be available in stores in Australia from this week.

“Apple TV is like a DVD player for the Internet age—providing an easy and fun way to play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV,” Apple’s senior vice-president Philip Schiller said.

The Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video or 9,000 songs, or a combination of each and can deliver high-definition 720p output.

The company said Apple TV is integrated with iTunes, letting users run through iTunes menus on their television screen. The unit is delivered with an Apple Remote, which the company promises has a simple, useable interface.

The unit connects to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theatre systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analogue and optical audio ports.

It uses Apples standard AirPort 802.11 wireless networking technology, and can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers to your TV without any wiring.

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