Apple has released a new Java update that is supposed to remove the Flashback malware on infected Macintosh computers. The release comes two days after Apple said it was tackling the issue, and a week after an anti-virus firm warned 600,000 Macs were infected.

Apple claims that the new removal tool gets rid of "the most common variants" of the malware. The tool is integrated into the latest security update to Java on Apple computers running Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.7 .

In the meantime, Kaspersky Labs has recalled its own Trojan-removal tool after it affected some user settings. The company promised to offer a replacement shortly.

Apple also said it was working with ISPs to shut down networks of servers hosted by the malware authors, which the code relies on "to perform many of its critical functions".