A version of the terrible LockBit ransomware has been discovered on Mac. The researchers say the code is still in development, but macOS users should stay vigilant and keep their systems up to date.
This week, security researchers from MalwareHunterTeam made an alarming discovery: for the first time, it appears that the creators of LockBit, the ransomware that attacked La Poste, are trying to develop code capable of infecting macOS machines.
Virulent LockBit ransomware attacks Macs for the first time
As a reminder, a ransomware (ransomware in French) is an insidious form malware that encrypts a user’s files, making them impossible to open. If a user wants to regain access to their files, they have to pay a ransom in the form of Bitcoin payment in exchange for a decryption key.
MalwareHunterTeam writes that the first evidence of LockBit ransomware seeking to target Macs appeared in November 2022. If LockBit is familiar to you, that’s because it’s often in the news: This week, ransomware has infected Venezuela’s largest bank. In previous months, LockBit has infected government institutions and hospitals.
Read: Macs under threat from CloudMensis spyware
This is not hyperbole: even the US Department of Justice previously stated that LockBit was one of the ” most active and destructive ransomware variants in the world “. Overall, the LockBit ransomware group — which is believed to have ties to Russia — is estimated to have generated more than 100 million dollars ransoms over the years.
Cybersecurity researchers have discovered that LockBit ransomware, although still in its early stages, not only targets new Macs, but also older Macs with PowerPC processors. At the moment, the ransomware is still in its infancy, but the team is worried about its rapid evolution.
The Mac, a new target for malware?
Everyone knows that malware is a bigger problem for Windows PC users than for macOS users. However, contrary to what Apple’s advertisements suggest, this does not mean that Macs are invulnerable to malware and inherently more secure.
Malware creators focus on Windows because it is the most widely used computing platform in the world. Although macOS has several sophisticated security layers, its low market share has long made it an unattractive target for all types of malware, including ransomware. Could things be changing? By the way, here’s how to tell if your Mac is infected with malware or spyware.
