Apple responds to the most pernicious attack on Mac machines

Apple provided its response to the new attack started by hackers on Mac computers, the most pernicious types of computer virus infecting Cupertino machines.

Apple has issued a security advisory to customers warning them about a recent scam that infects Macs with malicious software that wrongly tells them their computer is infected with a virus. Hackers are targeting Mac machines to obtain credit card numbers and other valuable personal information.

McAfee Inc reports that the bogus anti-virus penetrate the PC when people click on links from tainted search engine results for popular queries. Besides, it may also be downloaded when users click on links to malicious sites that might be included in emails, Tweets or Facebook messages.

Apple said it will issue an update for its Mac operating system "in the coming days" that will automatically find and remove malicious fake anti-virus software. It will also warn Mac users when they download such programs.

Meanwhile, Apple has issued advice on how users can clean up machines that have been infected by the malicious software, which goes by names including MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.