Why you should be more alert to malware on macOS
Malware is a smaller problem on macOS than it is on Windows, but that’s changing quickly. This is what you need to know about XLoader.
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macOS XLoader: Beware of Malware
Malicious people are increasingly targeting Apple users with malware. The researchers are there Check Point found out.
Specifically, Formbook’s powerful malware, which has plagued Windows computers for more than five years, has also been running on macOS since February under the name XLoader. Interested parties can rent the malware for a month for $49.
XLoader reaches your Mac by installing a malicious file, for example via email. The malware can then monitor what you type and even take screenshots of what can be seen on the screen. That happens completely invisibly.
More than half of Formbook victims live in the United States, but Check Point states that two percent of all Formbook victims come from the Netherlands. The malware is therefore actually a danger in our country.
Check Point’s Yaniv Balmas opposes website Bleeping Computer“While there is a gap between malware on Windows and macOS, that gap is slowly narrowing over time. The truth is that macOS malware is getting bigger and more dangerous.”
Protect yourself from XLoader
Protecting yourself against this malware can be done in two ways. First of all, it is important that you do not install any malicious files. So do not just download attachments from e-mails that you do not trust and be careful with strange links or websites that offer illegal content such as series and movies.
In addition, you can check whether XLoader has already reached your Mac. To do this, in Finder go to ‘Go > Go to Folder…’ and enter ‘/Users/*/Library/LaunchAgents’ in . Instead of the asterisk, put your username there. Do you see files with strange, random names in that folder? Then it’s best to delete it, empty your recycle bin and restart your Mac.
And the best protection is knowledge, so we’ll explain all the terms around malware for you.
