BleepingComputer.com: Reasonable Safari Settings

http://mediamemo.allthingsd.com/20090913/h...p-some-malware/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic257540.html

My machine is one of those that 'received' the 'unauthorized advertisement'. (Don't ya just love it when lawyers write the copy for potential revenue losing events?) So I called the Apple helpline and was told to reset Safari, being sure to click "clear history, empty the cache, and remove all cookies". And that was that.

My question is how does your run-of-the-mill surfer set the Safari security options to minimize the entry points the bad guys can use to get into my machine? I'm new to the Apple world but an experienced computer user; don't knowingly go to shady websites, don't click into offers for free anything, and I generally stay on the straight-and-narrow paths that get me home by 10 P.M. Your opinions are welcome. Thanks.

You can use the Firefox browser with the NoScript and AdblockPlus extensions. That will keep the malware that
NYT's had a problem with from getting on your computer.

I read the posts of many users that got infected from that ad. They were blaming NYT, the criminal ad purveyor, and
their expensive security programs that failed to protect them. None mentioned using NoScript. Some had the
Adblock Plus extension but still managed to get infected. NYT wasn't the only major news site that got hit last weekend.

Next time you see an ad like that, do not click to close it. Instead close your browser and if you can clear your cache
do that, too.

Thanks Bud. I recognized the malware as similar to one that I had on IE7 and I didn't click on it. I'm assuming that NoScript and AdblockPlus extensions aren't designed to work with Safari?

Depends on which OS you have. See info in link below Safari AdBlock.
http://burgersoftware.com/en/safariadblock

No NoScript for Safari. You might find the conversation in the link below of interest--particularly #7 post.
http://forums.macosxhints.com/showthread.php?p=421900

OK, thanks again Bud.

Hey there Twin B
Have you considered tweaking the software firewall on your version of Mac OS X ?
The firewall on Macs can be manually configured to shut down and open access "ports"

Other, third party firewall software, specifically for Mac OS X, is available. "Virus Barrier", Mac compatible "Norton" products are some retail firewall products. "Water Roof" and "Noob" are freebies in need of configuring on OS X 10.4 and up. Older Macs ( OS X 10.1 up to Panther, OS X 10.3 ) are bet protected by products from Brian Hill Software.

In order to have third party firewalls be effective, turn OFF the Apple firewall. System Preferences > Security pages > Firewall tab, uncheck all firewall options.

Also, disable the "JavaScript" option in Preferences for Safari. That will help eliminate some ads on destination websites. The "getting home by 10PM" thing, drinking all your Ovaltine, and flossing regularly probably won't help your computer but will surely limit your social life.

Hi gduv:

I'm running OS 10.5.8 on my four month old iMac. I installed AdBlocker as was recommended earlier and that's blocking many of the ads pretty well. Thanks for the information about the firewall, I'll play around with that. I've been wondering what to do about the JavaScript so you answered that for me too. (And my social life is better limited, I've had my fill of clubs and parties and headaches for awhile. hehe.) If you're in the Den metro area I heard we'll be getting 6-12" of snow tonight here in the SW foothills around 285 and vicinity. I take that forecast with a grain of salt, knowing the hysteria that weather forecasters are prone to. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Joe.

Hey there, twin be,
Weather guessers are working real hard to get forecasts along the Rockies right but there are so many factors that affect our weather, here. I've lived here long enough to know to be ready for anything each new day. I've seen snow fall in June, temps drop 45 degrees in about 2 hrs, and at least one spring where a steady sheet of rain fell at least once a day, every day, for 3 weeks. Turf grass lawns quickly got to 3 to 4 feet in length after that.
Check out "Weather Bug" @ www.weatherbug.com . Download the Mac friendly software and have current temp/link displayed on desktop task bar of your broadband ( high speed connected ) Mac.

I'll try it out, thanks.