Russian ransomware attack software targets Apple Mac and MacBook
One of the most well-known ransomware attack tools has now begun attacking Mac computers. This alarming news came from a tweet posted by MalwareHunterTeam warning Mac users. Let’s dive into what this ransomware does and how you can protect yourself.
LockBit, a type of ransomware, is one of the first known instances of this malware targeting Mac computers. It is also one of the most widely-used ransomware known today, and its creators are offering cybercriminals this ransomware as a service, which allows various hacking groups to use it for a price.
As of now, the cybercriminals with LockBit are mostly attacking big businesses by infiltrating their systems and encrypting their sensitive files. Most recently, they have gone after SpaceX by breaching one of their suppliers and stealing data. They have also recently gone after SickKids, a hospital in Canada for sick children. LockBit is believed to be an organization run by Russians, however, it is likely being run in the U.S. or China.
Although LockBit has been around for a few years, it has not advanced much when it comes to attacking Macs. Most of its attacks happen on Windows systems. The Mac version, which has been labeled “locker_Apple_M1_64”, still seems to be a work in progress because it typically crashes as soon as it’s launched, and it relies on an invalid signature.
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Plus, Apple still has its Gatekeeper protections, which can still prevent LockBit from being run even if it’s downloaded and launched on a device.
For now, all you Mac users can cautiously take a breath of relief as LockBit doesn’t seem to have much figured out yet when it comes to attacking personal Mac computers. However, it can never hurt to take the extra step to protect yourself.
Here are some of my suggestions for guarding yourself against ransomware.
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