Expert warns of new Mac malware

A new rogue security application for the Mac could be on the way, according to one industry executive.

Sunbelt Software chief executive Alex Eckelberry revealed that researchers at his company had uncovered a web site advertising a product known as 'MacGuard'.

The product claims to offer spyware and antivirus protection, as well as the ability to remove adware and block phishing attacks on OS X systems.

No downloadable software has been found on the site, but Eckelberry is urging users to remain vigilant.

The group believed to be behind the site also distributes 'Antivirus XP 2008' and 'XP Antivirus', a pair of rogue Windows security applications which Eckelberry classified as "really horrific".

Both applications have been known to use exploits to install themselves without consent and send fake alert messages designed to scare victims into paying for non-existent security protection.

If the MacGuard application does turn out to be a rogue security attack, it will mark another incident in a small but growing crop of Mac malware releases.

Almost non-existent two years ago, a handful of Mac malware samples have emerged in the past 12 months, starting with a fake codec attack in November and continuing with a bogus security scam in January and a pair of data-stealing Trojans found this summer.