The MacOS has had a positive reputation over the years for having lower chances of being infected with malware in comparison to other operating systems. However, with the increasing number of cybercriminals and the development of sophisticated malware recently, Mac users should stay cautious and keep a lookout for any suspicious behaviours on their computers.
“MacOS is just as vulnerable as any other [operating system],” said Cybereason researcher Amit Serper. “More and more threats are coming to Mac, and they’re easy to exploit with social engineering.”
One of the biggest weaknesses of the MacOS is that it is easy for anyone to get an Apple developer certificate and to “sign” a software, a process that verifies the author of the software. When a malicious software is signed, it will be able to get past Gatekeeper, which is a security feature that prevents the installation of unknown software from the internet.
Here are some red flags to watch out for:
– Most Mac malware will be disguised as a trusted anti-virus or anti-malware program such as MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.
– Be careful with installing free online tools or pirated or “cracked” software.
– Be wary of pop-up ads that tell you your Mac is infected and needs to be cleaned immediately.
Would like to learn about a systematic way of providing ongoing testing and training to keep your staff alert to the tricks of the Cybercriminals? Give BSC Solutions Group a call today.
