Based on research across established dark web forums, threat actors are targeting macOS, with exploits trading for millions of dollars

  • interolivary ( interolivary@beehaw.org ) 
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    21
    ·
    3 years ago

    Welp, maybe I’ll finally have to get around to installing some sort of anti-virus/malware software after 20 years of macOS and/or Linux. At least the system architecture isn’t quite as much of a dumpster fire as Windows’ is, but nothing is invulnerable when there’s enough incentive

      • Yeah I’m not exactly in a hurry here, but more widespread malware is still just a question of incentive. macOS isn’t invulnerable, it’s just mainly been a smaller and less easy target so it’s not gotten the same sort of attention as Windows

        • Every software has holes. Not saying macOS is bullet proof. But it’s much harder to infect thanks to its Unix core and the fact the entire OS is on a read only partition. That with their own anti malware tool (Gatekeeper) that took on a much more active roll in macOS’s defenses come Ventura.

          I’m far more worried Apple replaces macOS or closes it just like all their other OSes and we end up bouncing between jailbreaks.

    • The general recommendation is to configure your system to allow the use of the minimum number of privileges. If you don’t have the need to use software that doesn’t come from a trusted repository (like the Apple App Store itself, but also things like homebrew), go ahead and turn off the ability to run software from other sources. If you’re coding, make sure your code is properly sandboxed, and that you’re not blindly relying on untested packages (see compromised npm packages). Don’t give apps accessibility or other rights if they don’t need them, etc. And then stay current on all software updates.

      Even zero-days often rely on certain configurations, and you can always lock down the built-in apps to not auto-run or auto-preview things they receive. Some of it requires an active user maintenance to decide how to balance convenience versus security on your own system.