First Fully Functional Mac Ransomware Targeted Apple Users

Here come first ever Mac ransomware targeting Apple users. So Apple users now new Mac ransomware shows that you’re no better off than regular old PC users. Researchers reported that hackers are targeting users with this ransomware through torrenting software.

Also Read : Hackers Are Offering $23,000 To Apple Employees For Their Login Details

First Known Mac Ransomware Out There

Security researchers from Palo Alto Networks on friday found first fully functional ransomware, dubbed “KeRanger“, seen on the OS X platform. Researchers said that piece of “BitTorrent” software known as “Transmission” was infected with ransomware, KeRanger. so that when Mac users were downloading the latest version of the product, the ransomware was installed on their machine.

“Transmission is an open source project. It’s possible that Transmission’s official website was compromised and the files were replaced by re-compiled malicious versions, but we can’t confirm how this infection occurred,” Palo Alto said in the blog entry.

According to researchers the ransomware was able to bypass Apple’s security checks as it was “signed with a valid Mac app development system”, tricking the OS X operating system into thinking it was a legitimate piece of software.

Also Read : Newly Discovered iPhone Vulnerability Can Bypass Your Lockscreen Code

How KeRanger Ransomware Attack ?

So once KeRanger was installed on a Mac, it waited three days before carrying out the attack. The malware begins encrypting certain types of document and data files on a system and once that process is finished, KeRanger demands the victim pay one bitcoin, equivalent to just over $400, according to the latest price by industry website CoinDesk.

It’s not the first time Mac-targeting ransomware has been detected by security experts, as back in 2014 Kaspersky Labs discovered ransomware for Mac, though it wasn’t complete at the time. But the researchers today announced that they believed KeRanger was “the first fully functional ransomware seen on the OS X platform.”

The Palo Alto Networks team notified both Apple and the Transmission Project on March 4. Since then, they say Apple has revoked the security certificate exploited by KeRanger and updated its XProtect antivirus software.

The researches also note that Transmission has removed the affected versions of the BitTorrent installer from its website.

Usually Windows PCs are making headlines for being targeted with viruses, malware and any number of digital infections and now onwards untouchable Mac also came to the field.

Also Read : New Malicious Text Message Malware Can Erase Everything In Your Android Phone

Sabarinathhttps://techlog360.com
Sabarinath is the tech-savvy founder and Editor-in-Chief of TechLog360. With years of experience in the tech industry and a computer science background, he's an authority on the latest tech news, business insights, and app reviews. Trusted for his expertise and hands-on tips for Android and iOS users, Sabarinath leads TechLog360 with a commitment to accuracy and helpfulness. When not immersed in the digital world, he's exploring new gadgets or sharing knowledge with fellow tech enthusiasts.

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