Symantec

As of yesterday, security company Symantec released a statement claiming there were still 140,000 Macs infected from the recent Flashback malware outbreak that originally infected an estimated 600,000 Mac users. That was despite Apple issuing a Java security update to remove the malware. Today, security researchers from Kaspersky said during a press conference (via Ars Technica) that it estimated infections dropped to 30,000, while still warning more “mass-malware” on OS X is on the way:

“Market share brings attacker motivation… Expect more drive-by downloads, more Mac OS X mass-malware. Expect cross-platform exploit kits with Mac-specific exploits.”

Kaspersky also clarified that much of the Flashback infections were spread through trusted WordPress websites that have been hijacked rather than through malicious downloaded files as many assume. Ars explained:

Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple hired a new leader for its tax department, according to an SEC filing this morning. Phillip Bullock, formerly Symantec’s Chief Accounting Officer, chose to leave the company he joined in 2006 to join the winning team in Cupertino.

Phillip A. Bullock, who was appointed as Symantec’s Chief Accounting Officer in September 2009, announced he will be leaving the Company to lead the tax department at Apple, Inc., and not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

Bullok has years of experience in the industry, serving as Vice President of Tax and Trade Compliance starting in 2006. He took responsibility for Symantec’s corporate risk assurance function in March 2007, and then he became Chief Accounting Officer in 2009. Before Symantec, he worked for a small tax practice.

This looks to be Apple’s third major hire this year after it hired John Browett from Dixons Retail to head its retail department. Apple also hired Robin Burrowes from Xbox to head App Store marketing in February.

Apple is known for finding the best in the industry, so we suspect it is no different here. Just in time to submit those taxes.