Unfortunately, Mac users are no better off than PC users. Recently, security researchers have discovered what they believe to be the first-ever ransomware attack targeted at Apple users that actually made it out “into the wild,” meaning it’s a genuine threat. And in bad news for downloading fiends, it’s being spread through torrenting software.
The problem was first detected Friday, when a team of researchers at Palo Alto Networks found a popular BitTorrent client for Apple’s OS X software for Macs that was infected with the ransomware, which they have dubbed “KeRanger.” Furthermore, the BitTorrent software in question is Transmission, which Mac users can install on Apple’s OS X operating system and then use to access shared files in so-called torrent swarms.
Moreover, Ransomware is designed to infect a computer and then put the owner in a bind, locking up files or functionality and essentially bricking the device until the user pays to have the problem neutralized. This particular piece of ransomware brings with it a $400 ransom note.
It’s an unwelcome arrival for Apple fans, who have long indicated the Mac as an untouchable rival to Windows PCs. Although, PCs periodically make headlines for being targeted with viruses, malware and any number of digital infections, Mac users have largely been able to avoid serious antivirus talk. Until now.