New Mac Malware Virus is Coming to a Computer or Phone Near You!

Macs have always been thought of as a safe and virus free computer choice. However, hackers are working hard to change that. New Mac Malware has been discovered on the Dark Web and it changes everything!

These new pieces of malicious Mac Malware are specifically targeting Mac devices and were discovered by Bleeping Computer. They are on the Dark Web and offered  to criminal hackers as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) and Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). The MaaS is called MacSpy and the RaaS is called MacRansom. Macs have always been thought of a virus proof…until now…

According to MacRumors:

Both portals are the work of the same malware developer, but security firms Fortinet and AlienVault described the person behind the scheme as an “inexperienced coder,” pointing towards issues like the lack of digitally signed files, meaning the security measures on a standard installation of macOS would still be alerted to the malware. The researchers called MacSpy the “better-coded tool,” but said MacRansom was more dangerous since it “has the potential to permanently wreck user files,” if users of malicious intent ever wielded it.

BleepingComputer found that both websites are run in a “closed” manner, meaning crooks have to contact the malware author to receive demo packages and negotiate going rates. Fortinet and AlienVault were able to get full working samples of each Mac Malware. Luckily, they both concluded that the Author of these was an inexperienced coder who was not focused on the quality of his code. Both Mac Malwares will trigger security alerts from MacOS installations. Users would be prompted to enter a password and alerted that this malware was installing on their system.   Fortinet is skeptical that the author is able to decrypt the files once the Ransom is paid. Which is common with ransomware and why we  do not recommend paying the ransom.

Thankfully both of these Mac Malwares will probably not turn into widespreed Mac Malware problems.  However, this does show that  hackers are  actively working on malware for Macs. So Mac users beware! The best way to protect yourself is to do regular backups and to be conscious of the software you install and any emails you open.

Contact the security experts at Orange County Computer for more information on how to safeguard your network and valuable information at 949-699-6619 or contact us here.

Information originally obtained from BleepingComputer,  MacRumers, Fortinet, and AlienVault.