To the relief of Mac OS X Leopard users everywhere, Apple released a new security update for the operating system earlier this week, PCMag reports. According to Apple, the new update "removes the most common variants of the Flashback malware."

The decision to release a new update for the express purpose of removing Trojan malware shows that Trojan virus removal has become a top priority for the company. This news will be especially welcome to Mac customers after speculation last month by Greg Keizer of ComputerWorld that Apple may not continue to release updates for its older models following the release of its new OS, OS X Mountain Lion.

Apple has had relatively few major issues with viruses in the last 10 years. But, as the brand has risen to such prominence with business owners, it has understandably become more attractive to hackers as well. Trojan Flashback was first detected in September 2011, according to Macworld, and has since infected more than 550,000 Macs, reports russian anti-virus vendor Dr. Web.

Some tech bloggers have speculated that Apple has taken a serious blow with consumer trust after this security breach, but as long as the company continues to provide the necessary security updates to combat this new string of hackers, Apple users shouldn't panic. However, it is generally a good practice for PC and Mac users to be diligent about protecting their files. There are many options, including offsite data backup and internet storage, that will ensure that your files stay secure should your system become infected.

In the event that your laptop, be it an Apple Macbook Air or Sony Vaio, is infected by a virus, know that Portable One specialists are available to assist you with any viral removal service, regardless of whether or not your supplier offers continued support.