Mac Spyware Found Called macs.app

There is a new piece of spyware for Mac computers called macs.app, and it will send screenshots of your desktop to a server. It will create a directory called MacApp in your user folder, and store screenshots there to be uploaded to securitytable.org and docsforum.info.

Unlike other spyware, this time it has been signed with an Apple Developer ID. The signer is Rajinder Kumar, this is probably to get around Gatekeeper on Lion and Mountain Lion (Lion requires the 10.7.5 update). Since it's signed, Apple theoretically could disable the spyware from being installed, which would pretty much kill any change of more people being infected (unless you disable Gatekeeper, that is).

Source: f-secure.com

RightStuf, part two

Four days ago I wrote about an order I made on RightStuf and comparing my first time experience with that of Amazon, which I've been using for years. Not only was my shipping quick on RightStuf, but so was the delivery! I had originally expected it on the 15th, but to my surprise it arrived today on the 13th. In only six short days, I placed an order and it was sent to me; all with free shipping! With Amazon unless I choose faster, more expensive shipping, this never happens.

The packaging was also better than with Amazon. Everything just fit right, the box wasn't too big or too small; a problem often times with Amazon. My only real disappointment is that RightStuf didn't have volumes 4 and 7 of the series. But neither does Amazon right now (though the site says they'll get them soon).

Here are some pictures of the packaging:

And here are the books on my shelf. I'll eventually move them to a more spacious location when I get the remaining two.

My first experience with RightStuf

I've never shopped with RightStuf before, but after realizing that the expected delivery and cost on Amazon was outrageous, I decided to give them a try. I ordered some novels, and on Amazon the price came to $133.22 including $10.62 for tax. On top of that, there was a two-month estimated shipping time. I ordered on May 4th, and after realizing the better deal on RightStuf, I cancelled my Amazon order. With RightStuf that total came to $94.43 with zero tax, and the expected delivery is May 15th. I placed my order on May 7th and it shipped today (May 9th).

One thing I didn't like about RightStuf though is how they handle notifications. On Amazon, as soon as you place an order, you can see it on the website with an estimated delivery (and sometimes shipping) date. On RightStuf, the "order status" page was blank until it actually shipped. For two days I had no idea when it would ship or what the delivery date would be. Then this morning the website finally showed my order, with the status of shipped and an expected date of the 15th.

For a website that has the reputation of having the lowest prices, Amazon charged quite a bit more, with the most expensive book being $16.19. Whereas the most expensive book on RightStuf is only $13.49. Same books, but Amazon was charging over $3 more in some cases. In their defense, Amazon did charge $2 less on one of the books, but the price is offset by the fact they charge tax, so even their cheapest book still ended up costing more.

I'll have to wait until my package comes, before giving a final thought about RightStuf, but so far so good.