A new strain of crypto-jacking malware is spreading through the Apple ecosystem, specifically targeting the Mac operating system. The malware is believed to be circulating through pirated versions of Final Cut Pro, a popular video editing software.
According to a report by cybersecurity firm Jamf, a command line mining tool called XMRig was discovered running in the background of pirated copies of Apple’s video editing software. The malware was also found in pirated copies of other popular software such as Adobe Photoshop and Logic Pro, Apple’s music sampling software.
The most widespread type of MacOS malware
The mining tool is designed to use the computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency, allowing cybercriminals to profit at the expense of the infected system’s performance. This discovery underscores the importance of only downloading software from trusted sources and using reputable anti-virus software to protect against malware threats.
Apple users were warned that Adware has traditionally been the most widespread type of macOS malware, but crypto-jacking, a stealthy and large-scale crypto-mining scheme, became increasingly prevalent.
This is not the first time that crypto-jacking malware has afflicted Apple’s operating system. A similar attack was reported in 2018. However, this new malware strain appears to be particularly evasive, making it challenging to detect and remove.
Security experts recommend that Mac users exercise caution when downloading software and only download from trusted sources. They also advise keeping operating systems and software up to date with the latest security patches and using anti-virus software.
As the popularity of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, it’s likely that we will see an increase in the number of crypto-jacking attacks. Therefore, it’s essential for users to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves against these types of threats.