Mac users are being warned about new variants of malware that have been created to target Apple computers specifically.
One type is a spyware that watches what users do and scoop up valuable information.
The other is a ransomware that encrypts data and demands payment before files are released.
Experts said they represented a threat due to their creators letting anyone use them for free. The two programs were uncovered by security firms, which found a portal on the "dark web" network that acted as a shopfront for both. The creators behind the ransomware were professional software engineers with "extensive experience" of creating working code. The payment received from this ransomware would be split between the creators of the malware and their customers.
According to researches, an analysis revealed that it is less sophisticated than the ransomeware that is used on Windows computers. This is the first ransomware seen on Apple computers. Any files scrambled with the ransomware would be completely lost because of the poor handling of decryption keys needed to restore the data.
Mac users should make sure their machines are kept up to date with the latest software patches and be extremely cautious of messages received via email. If you have anymore questions concerning ransomware, give us a call!
