Computer anti-malware firm Intego has identified a new variant of malware for Mac OS X, dubbed HellRTS.D. When installed on your machine, it opens a backdoor that lets hackers take control of your machine without your knowledge.

The HellRTS.D variant is based on malware first discovered in 2004. This latest variant is a Universal binary capable of infecting both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs. It does so by setting up its own server that is added to your login items, giving remote access to your machine. The software can also make a copy of itself and rename itself to appear to be one of your legitimately installed applications, making it harder to spot.

The current threat from this malware is actually quite low at the moment, as the backdoor would need to be installed by someone with physical access to your computer. Intego notes that it could be deployed as a trojan, using social engineering to convince an unsuspecting user that the installer is actually something else.

No copies are known to be spread in the wild, but Intego said that it is being distributed via forums known to be used by malicious hackers. Naturally, Intego's VirusBarrier X6 can identify and eliminate the malware if it does make it into the wild and somehow ends up on your machine.