OpenDNS blocks Flashback Trojan

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OpenDNS blocks Flashback Trojan

10 April 2012 2,909 views 6 Comments

Looking for a way to protect yourself from the BackDoor.FlashBack trojan? Here’s a great method for blocking FlashBack that can also improve your Mac’s internet performance — OpenDNS, a free, high-performance service I’ve been using and recommending for years.

“OpenDNS is far and away the most ideal measure Internet users can take to protect their machines from Flashback, as OpenDNS is a proactive, preventative measure,” writes OpenDNS’ Allison Rhodes. “It’s the only solution that doesn’t require software or installing of anything — all Mac users should switch to OpenDNS now to prevent infection, and avoid a scenario where infection occurs and disinfection is necessary.”

Yes, an ounce of prevention — How to: Set up OpenDNS on your Mac — is all it takes and OpenDNS is my favorite kind of cure — free. In addition to protecting against the FlashBack trojan, you get faster DNS lookup/performance.

And, don’t forget to check out the Fairer Platform’s Top 10 free ways to secure your Mac.

via Dan Knight, thanks for the tip

6 Comments »

James Katt said:

Just exactly how does OpenDNS prevent a Flashback Trojan infection?

Does it blacklist and block sites with the trojan?

Is there a list of blacklisted sites?

# 10 April 2012 at 3:30 pm

the rocr (author) said:

Here’s what OpenDNS has to say on the subject:

OpenDNS is far and away the most ideal measure Internet users can take to protect their machines from Flashback, as OpenDNS is a proactive, preventative measure … Even for those people who find their machine has already been infected by Flashback, enabling OpenDNS will prevent the malware from connecting to its command and control and causing your machine any damage.

OpenDNS doesn’t say directly, but it sounds like they’re blacklisting the IPs that serve and C&C FlashBack.

# 10 April 2012 at 5:26 pm

Apple ships stand-alone Flashback removal tool | FairerPlatform said:

[...] Recent Flashback posts: — Apple’s Java patch removes Flashback, but not all variants — Apple lays Mac App Store double authentication groundwork — Top 10 free ways to secure your Mac — Mother of all Mac botnets? BackDoor.Flashback.39 spreads — OpenDNS blocks Flashback Trojan [...]

# 14 April 2012 at 12:29 am

Save $40 when you buy Parallels, Kaspersky together | FairerPlatform said:

[...] stores double authentication groundwork — Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2 now available — OpenDNS blocks Flashback Trojan [...]

# 18 April 2012 at 11:40 am

FlashBack doom recedes for now | FairerPlatform said:

[...] not all variants — Apple lays Mac App, iTunes, iOS stores double authentication groundwork — OpenDNS blocks Flashback Trojan [...]

# 20 April 2012 at 12:21 am

Mac: How to detect DNS Changer | FairerPlatform said:

[...] it’s worth, I use OpenDNS — a free and open source DNS service — on my Mac because it blocks the Flashback Trojan and provides better performance than my ISP’s DNS service. If you’re liking the sound [...]

# 24 April 2012 at 12:21 am