Think that Mac OS X is a safe platform because it is not susceptible to the many threats in the internet? Not really. During the past years, there have been quite a number of attacks on Mac users including widespread infections of the SabPub and Flashback Trojans on Macs worldwide, which infected 700,000 computers running on OS X. According to Kaspersky Lab analysts, in the year 2012, the number of malware for OS X has been increased by 30% compared to the previous years. Judging from the rate malwares and threats for Mac is growing, installing a security software is inevitable.
Over the long weekend, Kaspersky introduced the Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac, replacing Kaspersky Security for Mac, which brings over existing Kaspersky technologies found on current Kaspersky Internet Security for PCs, offering a host of new security benefits like:
. Real-time protection against all threats
. Secure web surfing and shopping
. Protection for your identity
. Parental Controls to ensure safe internet browsing for children
. A more intuitive user experience
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac is expected to be launched next month, meanwhile, stay tuned for a first looks of the beta version we received from Kaspersky. Hit the break for more information about the product, including an infographic about threats for Mac users.
I’ve always been hesitant when people ask me “Mac got no viruses, right?”. The truth is, we’re all connected to the same internet, be it on a PC or on a Mac, and the internet is a dangerous place to be. Although there are less chances for a Mac to get infected but as history has shown, every possibility is a risk; moreover, threats from the internet does not only come in the form of viruses and malwares, users could get tricked to reveal their personal information and even financial data via social networking and such.
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac can help combat these forgeries using its anti-phishing technologies that can identify malicious websites before the user can be harmed. Like KIS for PC, the Mac version will check the website against an extensive constantly updated database of dangerous phishing pages; it also checks pages for embedded malicious codes.
More details in the press release below.
Kaspersky Lab launches Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac – a powerful security solution to combat the latest Mac threats
New Mac security product combines proven high-level protection technologies in an efficient, easy-to-use package
Kaspersky Lab announces the release of Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac, a reliable, user-friendly protection solution for Mac owners. By combining traditional antivirus technologies with advanced proactive and cloud-based protection methods, the new product provides premium, easily-managed security for Mac computers that won’t disrupt system performance.
The myths about the inherent safety of Mac OS X have been shattered by numerous examples of Mac-targeting malware in recent years, including widespread infections of the SabPub and Flashback Trojans on Macs worldwide. Just as the number of Mac owners grows year by year, so does cybercriminal interest in this operating system. According to Kaspersky Lab analysts, in 2012, the amount of malware for OS X increased by 30% from the previous year.
In an effort to develop a security product that meets the usability requirements of Mac users, Kaspersky Lab has created Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac. This new solution replaces the company’s existing product – Kaspersky Security for Mac – by adding security technologies already found in the Kaspersky Lab’s advanced Internet Security products for PCs. The new technologies in Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac offer Mac owners a host of new security benefits, such as:
• Real-time protection against all threats
• Secure web surfing and shopping
• Protection for your identity
• Parental Controls to ensure safe Internet browsing for your children
• A more intuitive user experience
Advanced Technologies to Combat Advanced Threats
Thanks to our extensive malware database, updated regularly with the help of the Kaspersky Security Network cloud service, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac’s is up to the latest threats. However, new threats emerge constantly – sometimes even quicker than antivirus database updates can be released. That is why, in addition to standard signature protection technologies, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac integrates proactive behavioral technologies, which can detect previously unknown malicious programs.
Malware, like viruses and Trojans, are not the only types of cyberthreats encountered online. In fact, there is a much smaller quantity of total malware for OS X than for Windows, but there are many types of threats that can attack all Internet users regardless of the operating system they use. For example, by using social engineering tricks, cybercriminals can lure any user into visiting a fake social networking site or online banking service in order to reveal their financial data and personal information. Once a user believes the website is legitimate and begins typing in their passwords, no operating system is able to protect them from identity theft.
To combat the threat of these clever forgeries, the anti-phishing technologies now included in Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac will identify malicious websites before the user can be harmed. Before downloading any webpage, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac checks the website against an extensive, constantly updated database of dangerous phishing pages. It also checks pages for embedded malicious code. Cybercriminals will often use techniques to make their malicious websites show up in search results, but Mac users can now find out whether a link in search engine results is harmful even before clicking it. The Kaspersky URL Advisor is a reputation service that automatically checks every link on each page opened in the browser and flags each link with a color-coded special marker to warn the user if any of these links lead to suspicious or malicious sites.
Email messages continue to be a common source of cyberthreats, so Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac now uses the latest antivirus technologies to scan both the body text of the message and email attachments for malicious code.
Protecting the personal information entered by users on websites – including passwords, account numbers, addresses and more – is another vital part of combating cyberthreats. Kaspersky Virtual Keyboard, integrated into Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac, allows users to enter sensitive information using a mouse to click an on-screen virtual keyboard. This eliminates the possibility of data interception by keyloggers or malicious programs that can take screenshots.
Parental Control
The Parental Control technology in Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac protects children and helps parents clearly regulate the time youngsters spend online. Parents can set time limits on their children’s Internet usage, and choose the types of websites their children can access, while blocking websites with inappropriate content. Other key Parental Control features are enhanced tools for monitoring and managing children’s activities on social networks. In particular, Kaspersky Lab technologies can automatically block children from sharing personal data – such as phone numbers and home addresses on social networks, and restrict their contact with anyone outside of their trusted circle of contacts.
Easy controls & better performance
Like any other high-quality application for Mac, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac offers a highly intuitive design. All the solution’s features can be accessed via an easy-to-use interface, and the notification system only informs the user about the most important security events, not bothering them with excessive technical information. Optimized to meet the specific hardware requirements of Mac computers, Kaspersky Lab’s security solution operates on machines with Retina display. At the same time, it does not have any noticeable impact on system performance. For example, Kaspersky Lab’s intelligent real-time scanning technologies only check new or recently updated files, which eliminate unnecessary scans and drastically reduces the usage of the computer’s resources.
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac will be available both as a standalone product and as part of Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device for the simultaneous protection of several devices: PC, Mac, as well as smartphones and tablets running under Android.
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