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Apple: Mac OS X update coming to block MacDefender malware

Tipster TJ just pointed us to a new Apple Support knowledge base article that describes how to avoid and remove the MacDefender malware. It's largely the same information that we have in our removal guide, but it's good to see that Apple is now making the instructions available for everyone. (Sample tip: "If any notifications about viruses or security software appear, quit Safari or any other browser that you are using.")

One of the more interesting points from the knowledge base post is seen in the graphic above: Apple says that a Mac OS X software update is coming soon that will automatically find and remove MacDefender and its known variants, as well as giving users a warning if the malware is downloaded to the Mac.

According to our developer friends, Apple also sent out a Developer Seed Notice on May 20 to Mac developers regarding Mac OS X 10.6.8 Build 10K524, which became available for download and testing on that date. We have reason to believe that this security/malware patch will be rolled into Mac OS X 10.6.8, which means it's coming pretty soon.