World's first Mac virus botnet discovered!

Have you noticed how some Mac users have this smug look on their face when the subject in any conversation turns to virus protection?  Fuelled by the ‘I’m A  Mac’ ads they seem to believe they are immune to any virus that happens across their system.  To a point what they believe is true, but lets explore why that may be changing.  If you picture a spotty teenager hammering away a keyboard in a darkly lit bedroom when you think of virus programmer then let me update you.  Virus and Trojan horse creation is big business, really big business and the bad guys, or as I like to refer to them the Dark Hats are trying to keep it secret.  These days if your computer contracts a virus you are not likely to realise.  Gone are the silly pranks of years gone by, viruses today won’t just turn your screen upside down the Dark Hats have a bigger plan.  The sole purpose of a virus these days is to take over your computer and join it into a network (botnet) of other similarly infected computers.  It’s the sheer processing powers of tens of thousands of computers that these Dark Hats are after.  If they can tell your computer along with ten thousands others to suddenly start requesting web pages from Amazon or any other big company on the net then they can bring that company to it’s knees.  Can you imagine the money Amazon makes in a minute?  How much would they lose if their site was down for even ten minutes?  The conversation goes something like this:

Dark Hats:  Nice store you got here Mr Big Book retailer.
Mr Big Book retailer: Yes we like it, pays the bills you know.
Dark Hats:  Yes, would be a shame if you couldn’t trade because ten thousand people turned up at once.
Mr Big Book retailer: Erm well yes, what do you mean?
Dark Hats:  Well how about me and my friend here make sure that doesn’t happen.  Shall we say five grand a week, to cover our expenses?

Now you see how it goes down, imagine being a betting website who get approached by the Dark Hats the day before the big game?  So the only thing the Dark Hats are interested in, is to get as many computers as possible to join their Botnet.  Now lets think what are the vast majority of computers running as an operating system out there?  Oh that would be Windows then.  So the reason that Windows PCs are more likely to contract viruses isn’t because Macs are better protected, it is simply a matter of best return for your efforts.  If there were more Macs in use then Windows PCs then you can bet your life the dark hats would be developing viruses for Macs and not Windows PCs.  But times, they are a changing.

As Apple increase their market share we will see more and more viruses being developed for Macs. But even Symantec claim that the first Mac Botnet is not much to fear.  Answering their own question of “Are Mac users under attack?” they reply “The short answer, no.”  Whilst this isn't the first Mac virus found the truth is there really are not that many around are the moment.  So it seems there is little need for Mac users to dash off to Symantec today to buy Anti Virus software.  The truth is is seems that this Botnet virus was mainly hidden inside a illegal copy of software download from some dubious site.  Apparently the average smug Mac  user, who doesn’t download pirated software can continue to smile for a little while longer and doesn’t need to listen to scare tactics from any company that supplies Anti Virus software. It seems for now Symantec were honest about that. 

So what do you think?  Am I talking tosh, should Mac users dive off to spend their money or will they be virus free for evermore?  Get it off your chest and comment on this post.