Given that Mac OS X computers are definitely vulnerable to ransomware, how does the latest emerging ransomware variant take advantage of these capabilities? More importantly, how can users defend themselves from this emerging threat?Ĭrude, slightly broken, and definitely dangerous In fact, this latest ransomware outbreak isn’t even the first to affect OS X systems, with a program known as KeRanger emerging in March 2016. A report from Kaspersky Labs shows that while the first OS X malware showed up as late as 2003, the total number of OS X malware grew 3,600% from 2010 to 2014. The latest ransomware attack is only the most visible manifestation of a growing problem for Apple software. With fewer computers on the market, it’s simply not been worth it for hackers to write specialized malware.Įven this small ransomware protection has been steadily declining, however. Apple computers represent only 7.4% of the global market share, and 13% of the market share in the US.

The reason for their relative security is simple. There is no truth to the idea that Apple’s computers are somehow harder to hack-either through viruses, exploits, or social engineering-than their Windows or Linux counterparts.

What’s inside the guts of this new extortion malware-and why has it taken so long for the ransomware tidal wave to swamp Apple? A new ransomware variant is now targeting Apple’s Mac computers, and although it is crude, it is certainly effective.

Despite what you may think, Apple’s exclusive OS X operating system is not naturally safe from new mac ransomware threats.

Users compromised by crypto locker