Microsoft accidentally shipped the first ever Word macro virus, Concept, on CD ROM. 2011 – MacDefender scareware and SEO poisoning.2010 – Backdoors, cross-platform attacks and free anti-virus.2009 – Malware in pirated software torrents, sex videos and a rudimentary virus protection from Apple.2007 – OpenOffice BadBunny and RSPlug financial malware.2006 – Leap, the first virus for Mac OS X.Hopefully this short history will go some way to present the facts, and encourage sensible debate.įrom the early 1980s, right up until the present day, here are some of the highlights in the history of Apple Mac malware. There are some who believe that the problem is overhyped (or even non-existent!) and others who believe that the malware problem on Macs is underestimated by the Apple-loving community. Since then there have been some significant developments, so here’s a revised and updated version.īefore we begin, it’s worth recognising that malware on the Mac is a subject which raises strong emotions.
In late 2010, I wrote a short history of Apple Mac malware.
