Apple Releases Security Update, Flashback Removal Tool for OS X 10.5 Leopard

Apple has finally released an official Flashback removal tool for OS X Leopard a full month after addressing the issue on Snow Leopard and Lion.  Leopard Flashback Removal Security Update removes the Flashback malware, and disables the Java plugin for Safari, although the plugin can be re-enabled following Apple’s instructions.

About Flashback Removal Security Update

This update removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware. If the Flashback malware is found, a dialog will notify you that malware was removed. In some cases, the update may need to restart your computer in order to completely remove the Flashback malware. 

To improve the security of your Mac, this update also disables the Java plug-in in Safari. For instructions on how to re-enable it, please visit:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5241.

Apple has also released Leopard Security Update 2012-003, which disables out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player, encouraging users to keep their machines secure by running the latest version of the plugin.

About Leopard Security Update 2012-003

This update disables versions of Adobe Flash Player that do not include the latest security updates and provides the option to get the current version from Adobe’s website.
For more information, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5271

Both updates are just over a megabyte in size, and are available immediately through Software Update for eligible Macs, as well a through direct download from Apple’s servers using the above links.

J. Glenn Künzler

Glenn is Managing Editor at MacTrast, and has been using a Mac since he bought his first MacBook Pro in 2006. He lives in a small town in Utah, enjoys bacon more than you can possibly imagine, and is severely addicted to pie.