Apple Users Targeted In First Known Mac Ransomware Campaign

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Apple Users Targeted In First Known Mac Ransomware Campaign

by Reuters MARCH 6, 2016, 1:45 PM EST

The malicious file first appeared on the Transmission BitTorrent site.

Apple Inc. customers were targeted by hackers over the weekend in the first campaign against Macintosh computers using a pernicious type of software known as ransomware, researchers with Palo Alto Networks Inc told Reuters on Sunday.

Ransomware, one of the fastest-growing types of cyber threats, encrypts data on infected machines, then typically asks users to pay ransoms in hard-to-trace digital currencies to get an electronic key so they can retrieve their data.

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Palo Alto Threat Intelligence Director Ryan Olson said the “KeRanger” malware, which appeared on Friday, was the first functioning ransomware attacking Apple’s Mac computers.

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Read more: http://fortune.com/2016/03/06/apple-users-targeted-ransomware/

[elfin]

1. Had it happen on my Mac Pro last summer

When I clicked on an innocuous image in Google search for a clipart graphic for a flyer.

Impossible to do anything until and unless contacting them.

Rather than submit, I tried to reboot - no luck. Finally turned off wifi, physically disconnected and then was able to reboot. Searched extensions for something alien ala malware and ditched that. THEN reconnected to wifi. All good.

[Initech]

2. Does it target users who download files illegally? Would make sense.