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in macOSedited March 9
Macs are anecdotally considered to be a safer computing platform than Windows and Android, in part due to how Apple handles applications and security. In a report by Malwarebytes into malware threats that were detected by users in 2020, it seems that the point is justified. According to the report, the number of detected threats by Mac users dropped overall from over 120 million in 2019 to over 75 million in 2020, representing a 38% reduction year-on-year. Consumer detections made up the lion's share of what was observed and had dropped 40% annually, while detections by business users grew 31% over the same timeframe.
By comparison, Windows users of Malwarebytes detected threats 111 million times in 2020. This too is a reduction from over 125 million in 2019, representing a drop of 12%.
While the millions of detections sounds scary, only a very small proportion of Mac detections are for malware. For US Mac users, malware represented just 1 percent of the total, rising to less than 5 percent in countries like Australia, the UK, and Canada.
Bigger percentages of malware were detected more often in countries including South Korea (18.1%), the Ukraine (16.3%,) and Norway (15%.)
The vast majority of the threat detections stemmed from 'Potentially Unwanted Programs' (PUPs) and adware, though there were no discernible patterns. Overall, PUPs made up more than 76% of Mac detections in 2020, with Adware making up about 22%.
Malware only made up 1.5% of total Mac detections. While small, Malwarebytes claims malware detections on Mac grew by more than 61% in 2020.
The majority of these detections were deemed to be 'suspicious behaviors,' such as attempts to run obfuscated Python or a shell code as a persistent process. This occurred in over 80% of detections.
Second place was the OSX.FakeFileOpener, a series of malicious apps that hijacks macOS' system to determine which app should open a file.
Third place, OSX.ThiefQuest or EvilQuest, was interesting for Malwarebytes, as it spread through seemingly legitimate installers found on software piracy repositories. Once installed, the malware would start encrypting files and work like ransomware, but in reality it was a data exfiltration scheme.
Comments
- For many of the security software vendors, whether on desktop or mobile, adware and malware are reported as tho one and the same. All of it is reported under the heading of malware for obvious product promotional reasons. It sounds scarier.
- So do any of you folks recommend a particular security device for your MacBook Pro? Norton? Other?
- I could've sworn someone on this forum was recently arguing that no one would target the Mac because it's not popular enough.
One person arguing that isn't indicative of fact. Any reasonable person should know that no OS is 100% secure. Not one. Anyone saying that a Mac can't get infected, or will not due to obscurity is either lying, or in denial. While I don't think I have ever received a virus on my Mac, I know that I've had it infected with malware over the years. Anti-Virus programs in my experience causes way more problems then they solve. Practice common-sense, don't click on links in emails, pay attention, etc.. has kept my system clean for years.I could've sworn someone on this forum was recently arguing that no one would target the Mac because it's not popular enough.
I have been using a MAC product for yearsSo do any of you folks recommend a particular security device for your MacBook Pro? Norton? Other?
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Huh? Android is a smartphone - and when AOSP is considered, IoT - platform that was designed for openness (in order to beat Symbian and especially Microsoft in the race for OEM and developer adoption) instead of security. Quit it with the apples to oranges stuff.
Macs are anecdotally considered to be a safer computing platform than Windows and Android, in part due to how Apple handles applications and security.
As for Windows ... it was a magnet for malware because A. it had 97% market share at one point and B. its enterprise and commercial products share much of the same codebase (which was why things like SQL Slammer which primarily exploited an enterprise vulnerability could also affect PCs). As XServe failed and OS X server remains very niche Apple has very little targeting by the most sophisticated threats who go after enterprise software (think the recent SolarWinds issue ... SolarWinds is enterprise software). As for the ones who target end users, those are the less skilled people who go for the most bang for the buck. That is going to be Trojan and ransomware attacks against Windows PCs in corporate and government offices. They aren't going to target the 10-20 guys in that office that have a Mac: low opportunity/rate of return.
So macOS are 'a safer computing platform' due to security through obscurity. As macOS diverges further and further from its 'kinda sorta' BSD origins, it is actually getting less secure over time, but since its market share is still so small and it isn't being targeted by people who go after corporate or government databases or web servers - because Apple doesn't have an OS or platform that is used for those - it still won't be exploited that much.
A Mac is often thought to be better secured than a non-Mac device. However, this has led many users to believe in the Mac OS Security Measures, over the years, that their Mac devices are simply invincible. That could not be farther from the truth. As with every other operating system in the world – either commercially available or not – Mac does have its issues too. You should take infoabout all precautions to protect your Android and iOS Devices From Cyber Threats.
In this piece, we discuss some of the common security problems faced by Mac users and how to get rid of them.
Cyber Risks That Mac Users Face
A Security report found that Mac users are getting more malware detection than PC users these days.
That does not mean they are falling to more attacks – but it surely means that some people are ramping up the attacks against this OS.
Some of such cyber risks include:
Program Malware
A North Korean group identified simply as Lazarus, for example, is highly dedicated to building apes that can infiltrate the Macs and get them backdoor access. They distribute these apps like free versions of otherwise paid legitimate apps, enticing the users into downloading and installing the malware themselves.
Crypto-Jacking
With the rise in the wave of cryptocurrencies comes hackers and threat actors who want to use your computer’s resources to mine crypto for their gains. This means that they deplete your CPU, make your computer slower, and can even cause serious damage to the internals of your machine.
A name worthy of note here is the Bird Miner malware which presents itself as audio apps while in truth, it is bundled with the crypto-mining software. An install of any of the audio apps gives way to an install of the crypto-jacking software on your computers also.
Ransomware
Another big issue facing Mac users right now is ransomware.
Here, Thief Quest comes to mind. We chose this one because it does more damage than your average ransomware.
In the real ransomware sense of the word, the hacker is only keeping your files and data under lock till you pay a decided-upon fee. With Thief Quest, you think that you are a victim of ransomware while the hackers are copying and transferring massive amounts of your data in the back end.
They are more interested in what they can get from your data than the amount you are paying. Think about all of your social media data, passwords, sensitive work spreadsheets and files, work emails, app data, credit card details, and other personal data that can be stolen this way.
Mac OS Security Measure Securing Your Systems
That’s not all there is to Mac threats, but you get the picture already. Apple has given these threat actors a challenge and they are not backing down from finding a way into the robust OS.
Fortunately, Apple does a good security job on the Mac out of the box. Unfortunately, that alone is not enough. This is why you should implement the measures below too.
#1 Avoid User Error
A large majority of new Mac users got one because they wanted to work from home securely, on the back of the recent pandemic. You must have also heard that the device on your hands is secure enough and rarely falls to hacks and threat actors. However, the majority of the time when that happens, user error can be blamed.
Know your way around the device you are carrying. Never subvert the unit’s security settings yourself, for no reason whatsoever. Finally, follow the security prompts and recommendations that come with the device.
#2 Use the Dedicated App Store
Apple built an app store for Mac users to get all the programs and software that they will ever need.
Inside this app store, Apple’s engineers can always go over the codes of the apps to ensure that they keep to best practices. That way, you can rest assured that anything you install from the app store is safe for your units.
Once you start installing from outside the app store, though, Apple doesn’t have you covered anymore. In that instance, it becomes easier to install malware onto your unit yourself. After all, there is no guarantee that the vendor you got that app from verified the codes for you.
#3 Install Security Software
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Kudos to Apple, there is a solid encryption system (dubbed FileVault) on board. That alone cannot do all the security work that you need on this module, though.
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Start by installing antimalware for your MacBook. Run a deep scan of your system on the first install and schedule random scans for later.
Furthermore, get a VPN For MacBook with Mac Protective Security Measures to secure your internet connection, encrypt your traffic, and ensure your anonymity on the web.
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The in-built Safari browser already fights browser fingerprinting intelligently, but a VPN offers you more protection in that department. Especially if you prefer to use other browsers.
Finally, install an email scanner and a password manager. Speaking of password managers.
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#4 Secure your Passwordsfor Mac OS Security Measures:
One of the easiest hacks you can fall victim to is the password hack. Your MacBook might provide other means of signing in, but don’t let those get in the way of a secure password.
If in doubt, use an online password generator for the best kind of password you can get anywhere. Paired with a password manager (suggested above), you are good to go.
Lest we forget, a 2FA app/feature also finds extensive application here.
#5 Browser Security Mac OS Security Measures:
Apple disabled the Flash settings from its Safari browsers back in 2010. This is just one of the many improvements – from additions to removals – that Apple has managed on this browser alone.
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If you can help it, stick with Safari for its advanced safety and security features.
In the case you’d like another browser experience, go for an equally safe and secure browser too. You can find that in the lines of the Mozilla Firefox, Tor browser, and Brave browser, among others.
No matter your choice of browser, make sure to tweak the privacy and security settings right. Always double-check extensions before you install them and never load add-ons from unverified vendors.
Keep your Mac safe with Mac OS Security Measures
Again, Apple should be cheered for the good work that they have done on Mac computers over the years.
However, the buck ultimately stops with you to keep your data protected. Will you take the mantle and start doing what it takes to ensure that today?