Fake "Mac Defender" Scamware

If you own a Mac, you have heard there are no viruses or spyware or that macs don't get viruses.  Well, this is not exactly true.  Macs and other Unix based operating systems are not as vulnerable to viruses or spyware because of the inherit security structure of the operating system.  In the simplest of terms, viruses and spyware do not arbitrarily install themselves, with out user intervention, typically having to type in your administrator password.  A Windows based computer can visit a malicious website and have viruses or spyware installed without the users knowledge or permission.   When the fake "Mac Defender" attempts to install itself, the user must enter their administrative password.  If you do not manually type in your administrative password the virus cannot install itself.  If you are prompted to arbitrarily enter your administrator password, DO NOT.  This should send all sorts of red flags up, that something is not right.  A little common sense and diligence goes a long way to preventing these types of scams.  You can read more about the fake "Mac Defender" at arstechnica.com