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More and more hackers want to take a bite of the cherished apple.
MacOS - based devices are increasingly being targeted by hackers. Intel 471, a cyber intelligence company, has identified more than 40 hacker groups that are interested in malware and exploits for the Apple platform.
Since last year, at least 21 attackers have been looking for opportunities to purchase malware for macOS, and some of them were interested in services for distributing existing malware. The same number of hackers are already actively attacking the system.
According to Intel 471 experts, the growing interest of criminals is due to an increase in the market share of the company's products, especially among small and medium-sized businesses.
"Despite the high quality of Apple products, they are not invulnerable. Mac users should be vigilant against various threats, as attackers are constantly looking for new and more sophisticated ways to break into their systems," the researchers warn.
Patrick Wardle, creator of a Mac security website and toolkit called Objective-See, also noted that the number of new malware for Apple systems in 2023 doubled compared to 2022. And Group-IB recorded a fivefold increase in underground sales related to infostilers for macOS.
The most common type of malware on the Mac is infostilers-programs designed to steal credentials, session cookies, and other confidential information. Criminals sell the collected data in batches on illegal forums.
"We saw how some attackers were conducting research on the demand for macOS stylers," Intel 471 said in a report. In May 2023, they recorded how a hacker under the pseudonym " Callisto "asked the community if anyone was interested in"a styler with RedLine functionality aimed at macOS systems." He also asked for an opinion on possible features and prices. RedLine collects information from browsers, including credentials, auto-filled forms, and credit card details.
Other popular families of malware provided as a service, such as Atomic Stealer and ShadowVault, have also been suggested on forums by various hacker groups. Their functionality mainly includes emptying cryptocurrency wallets.
Although ransomware on macOS is not as common as other types of malware, attackers are gradually realizing their potential. According to Moonlock, a division of MacPaw, in 2023, ransomware and remote Access Trojans (RAT) accounted for about 15% of all malicious tools targeted at macOS users.
In 2023, attackers actively exploited numerous vulnerabilities in real attacks. For example, spyware operators, including Cytrox and Pegasus, have taken advantage of several high-risk vulnerabilities. One of the hackers even offered the exploit for sale for $ 2.7 million.
Despite the fact that macOS still trails Windows in overall operating system market share, which is a major deterrent for cybercriminals, the situation may change. "For attackers, macOS is a good opportunity to capitalize on the lack of competition, and given the company's upward trajectory, it is a chance to gain a foothold in the market during a period of relative freedom," warns Intel 471.
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MacOS - based devices are increasingly being targeted by hackers. Intel 471, a cyber intelligence company, has identified more than 40 hacker groups that are interested in malware and exploits for the Apple platform.
Since last year, at least 21 attackers have been looking for opportunities to purchase malware for macOS, and some of them were interested in services for distributing existing malware. The same number of hackers are already actively attacking the system.
According to Intel 471 experts, the growing interest of criminals is due to an increase in the market share of the company's products, especially among small and medium-sized businesses.
"Despite the high quality of Apple products, they are not invulnerable. Mac users should be vigilant against various threats, as attackers are constantly looking for new and more sophisticated ways to break into their systems," the researchers warn.
Patrick Wardle, creator of a Mac security website and toolkit called Objective-See, also noted that the number of new malware for Apple systems in 2023 doubled compared to 2022. And Group-IB recorded a fivefold increase in underground sales related to infostilers for macOS.
The most common type of malware on the Mac is infostilers-programs designed to steal credentials, session cookies, and other confidential information. Criminals sell the collected data in batches on illegal forums.
"We saw how some attackers were conducting research on the demand for macOS stylers," Intel 471 said in a report. In May 2023, they recorded how a hacker under the pseudonym " Callisto "asked the community if anyone was interested in"a styler with RedLine functionality aimed at macOS systems." He also asked for an opinion on possible features and prices. RedLine collects information from browsers, including credentials, auto-filled forms, and credit card details.
Other popular families of malware provided as a service, such as Atomic Stealer and ShadowVault, have also been suggested on forums by various hacker groups. Their functionality mainly includes emptying cryptocurrency wallets.
Although ransomware on macOS is not as common as other types of malware, attackers are gradually realizing their potential. According to Moonlock, a division of MacPaw, in 2023, ransomware and remote Access Trojans (RAT) accounted for about 15% of all malicious tools targeted at macOS users.
In 2023, attackers actively exploited numerous vulnerabilities in real attacks. For example, spyware operators, including Cytrox and Pegasus, have taken advantage of several high-risk vulnerabilities. One of the hackers even offered the exploit for sale for $ 2.7 million.
Despite the fact that macOS still trails Windows in overall operating system market share, which is a major deterrent for cybercriminals, the situation may change. "For attackers, macOS is a good opportunity to capitalize on the lack of competition, and given the company's upward trajectory, it is a chance to gain a foothold in the market during a period of relative freedom," warns Intel 471.
Source
