Apple hit by malware attack

IDG News Service - Apple on Tuesday said it was a victim of a malware attack when a small number of systems inside the company were compromised.

The malware attack was tied to a vulnerability in a Java plug-in for browsers, Apple said in a statement sent via email.

"There is no evidence that any data left Apple. We are working closely with law enforcement to find the source of the malware," the statement reads.

Apple isolated the infected systems from its network.

The malware reached Apple computers through a website for software developers. The same malware is also tied to recent malware attacks against Facebook.

Apple is releasing a tool that scans Macs and removes the Java malware. Oracle has also released an update to Java that fixes the vulnerability.

Security concerns prompted Apple to stop adding Java to the operating system by default starting with Mac OS X Lion. However, users can install it independently. If Java is installed, it is automatically disabled after 35 days if not used.

Agam Shah covers PCs, tablets, servers, chips and semiconductors for IDG News Service. Follow Agam on Twitter at @agamsh. Agam's e-mail address is agam_shah@idg.com