If you use a Mac you might be at risk. Security researchers have recently discovered a malware designed to attack and hold Macs to ransom.
According to Cnet, the malware was first discovered last week when a team of researchers at Palo Alto Networks found a certain BitTorrent software – which Mac users could install in order to access shared files in torrent swarms, had been infected with a ransomeware.
KeRanger- which is the name the malware was given by the Palo Alto researchers, works in much the same way as other ransomeware. It infects a computer and locks up functionality or files until the user pays to have the problem solved. keRanger according to the researchers’ findings demands that victims pay one bitcoin (about $400) to a specific address to retrieve their files.
The Palo Alto Networks team has since notified both Apple and the Transmission Project, with Apple responding by revoking the security certificate exploited by the malware and by updating it XProtect antivirus software. The Transmission project has also been noted to have removed the affected versions of the BitTorrent installer from its website.
So…it does seem like the problem has been solved. At least most of it. However, it is believed that Mac users who downloaded the Transmission installer whether from the Transmission website or from any other source may have been infected by KeRanger. Hence I suggest all Mac users visit the Palo Alto network’s website for advise on how to take extra precautions.
Transmission has also recommended that users “immediately upgrade” to and run the latest version of its software, version 2.92, to be sure the ransomeware has been “correctly removed” if it is present on a user’s Mac.
One more thing though. All you Mac users had better stop boasting that your OS is impenetrable cos those guys behing Keranger have definitely proven you wrong. Haha #nobeefthough
