Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Mac Defender
open-in-new
<p>Mac Defender (also known as Mac Protector, Mac Security, Mac Guard, Mac Shield, and FakeMacDef) is an internet <a href="/facts/Rogue_security_software/Aubqdgfm">rogue security program</a> that targets computers running <a href="/facts/MacOS/Y93vVpTm">macOS</a>. The Mac security firm <a href="/facts/Intego/SP6yo5bP">Intego</a> discovered the fake antivirus software on 2 May 2011, with a patch not being provided by Apple until 31 May. The software has been described as the first major <a href="/facts/Malware/5ee7TLFR">malware</a> threat to the Macintosh platform (although it does not attach to or damage any part of OS X). However, it is not the first Mac-specific Trojan, and is not self-propagating. </p><p>A variant of the program, known as Mac Guard, has been reported which does not require the user to enter a password to install the program, although one still does have to run the installer. </p>