VirusOS Mac OS
macOS malware includes viruses, trojan horses, worms and other types of malware that affect macOS, Apple's current operating system for Macintosh computers. macOS (previously Mac OS X and OS X) is said to rarely suffer malware or virus attacks,[1] and has been considered less vulnerable than Windows.[2] There is a frequent release of system software updates to resolve vulnerabilities. Utilities are also available to find and remove malware.[1]
History[edit]
- While your Mac can definitely be infected with malware, Apple’s built-in malware detection and file quarantine capabilities are meant to make it less likely that you’ll download and run malicious.
- Aware of the problem, Apple eventually replaced the classic Mac operating system with the new Mac OS X, which came with built-in malware security measures. For instance: Quarantine, introduced in 2007, alerts users if they try to open applications downloaded from the Internet. It acts as a reminder, in effect prompting users to think twice.
- Malwarebytes said there was a 400 percent increase in threats on Mac devices from 2018 to 2019, and found an average of 11 threats per Mac devices, which about twice the 5.8 average on Windows.
Early examples of macOS malware include Leap (discovered in 2006, also known as Oompa-Loompa) and RSPlug (discovered in 2007).
An application called MacSweeper (2009) misled users about malware threats in order to take their credit card details.
The trojan MacDefender (2011) used a similar tactic, combined with displaying popups.
Do Macs get viruses? Do Macs need antivirus software? The answer isn't as simple as it may seem. In this article, we look at the dangers faced by Mac users and the pros and cons of using Mac. Apple helps you keep your Mac secure with software updates. The best way to keep your Mac secure is to run the latest software. When new updates are available, macOS sends you a notification — or you can opt in to have updates installed automatically when your Mac is not in use. MacOS checks for new updates every day and starts applying them in the background, so it’s easier and faster.
In 2012, a worm known as Flashback appeared. Initially, it infected computers through fake Adobe Flash Player install prompts, but it later exploited a vulnerability in Java to install itself without user intervention. The malware forced Oracle and Apple to release bug fixes for Java to remove the vulnerability.
Bit9 and Carbon Black reported at the end of 2015 that Mac malware had been more prolific that year than ever before, including:[2]
- Lamadai – Java vulnerability[3]
- Appetite – Trojan horse targeting government organizations
- Coin Thief – Stole bitcoin login credentials through cracked Angry Birds applications
A trojan known as Keydnap first appeared in 2016, which placed a backdoor on victims' computers.
Adware is also a problem on the Mac, with software like Genieo, which was released in 2009, inserting ads into webpages and changing users' homepage and search engine.
Apple Virus Protection
Malware has also been spread on Macs through Microsoft Word macros.
Ransomware[edit]
In March 2016 Apple shut down the first ransomware attack targeted against Mac users, encrypting the user's confidential information.[4] It was known as KeRanger. After completing the encryption process, KeRanger demanded that victims pay one bitcoin (about US$400 at the time, about US$51,801.90 as of February 18, 2021) for the user to recover their credentials.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ ab'Mac OS X Malware details'. Retrieved 2015-03-12.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ ab'2015 Mac OS X Malware'. Retrieved 2016-03-21.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^'Lamadai Mac Operating System Attack'. Retrieved 2016-03-21.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^'Mac OS X Attack March 2016'. Retrieved 2016-03-07.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^'Apple Shuts down First ever ransomware'. Retrieved 2016-03-07.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)