There has been lots of buzz about Apple, possibly just because those who denied that Apple/Mac could ever suffer from malware have finally seen a bit of it happen.

Much was made, a week ago, of a supposed "internal memo" at Apple instructing instructing Tech Support people NOT to either confirm or deny that users' computers were infected with something:

Apple to support staff: Don't discuss Mac malware was the report seen. It's still up now, but may be nearing end-of-life soon.

The critics were comparing the Apple stance that malware is "third party software for which they provide no support" to the Microsoft policy of providing removal tools for significantly damaging stuff. Given the minimal (although not zero) attacks Apple has seen it's more - IMO - a matter of them not having had the need to work up a policy before ow. I suspect support will be similar from both once Apple's attitude "matures" with respect to malware.

All users (all OSs) should be aware of a surge in malicious links recently reported, infecting nearly all "currency converter" sites. Several established and reputable sites were (may still be) infected with "phony links," usually placed as ads, inviting you to "click here to save your @@@ from ***" and the links were invariably to malicious sites. There were also a number of "phony sites" that imitated legitimate converters but were actually malicious. Comment on this threat has faded, but it's uncertain whether the malware has been suppressed or whether there just weren't many editors interested in making change in international markets.

Apple iPhone and iPad users have been getting malicious SPAM linked to the "app store." The malicious messages are received only by people who have placed an order for an app, and state that "Your order has been cancelled in response to your request." There's a link to click for information, which of course goes to a malicious site that may attempt to infect your iWhat. There seems, at present, to be no particularly disastrous results from responding (other than the confirmation that you're a bit stupid). The worrisome part of this is that nobody seems to have figured out how they know who's placed an order with the Apple store in order to know who to send the messages to. This probably should be "something to watch."

Check out New scam targets Apple App Store patrons if interested.

A recent news report is that "scientists have found a bacterium that lives on caffeine." The call it Pseudomonas putida CBB5 but I'd always thought it's common name was just "programmer." (?) Watching that one for more info. ...

John