Apple computers are no longer that secure. macOS malware is becoming more and more common

The threat of malware to Mac users has increased by 60% in the last three months, with adware in particular dominating, with an increase of as much as 200%. In the company's quarterly report The Cybercrime Tactics and Techniques Malwarebytes reports that while ordinary users are slightly less at risk from malware, the number of attacks against business entities and infrastructures has increased. These represent a more profitable target for attackers.

At the top of the most frequently occurring malware this time was PCVARK, which displaced the reigning trio of MacKeeper, MacBooster and MplayerX until recently. Also on the rise is adware called NewTab, which jumped from sixty to fourth place. Mac users also had to face new attack methods this quarter, which include, for example, cryptocurrency mining malware. The attackers also managed to steal roughly $2,3 million in Bitcoin and Etherium currency from Mac users' wallets.

According to Malwarebytes, malware creators are increasingly using the open-source Python language to distribute malware and adware. Since the first appearance of the backdoor called Bella in 2017, the number of open-source code has increased, and in 2018 users could register software such as EvilOSX, EggShell, EmPyre or Python for Metasploit.

In addition to backdoors, malware, and adware, attackers are also interested in the Python-based MITMProxy program. This can be used for "man-in-the-middle" attacks, through which they obtain SSL-encrypted data from network traffic. XMRig mining software was also noted this quarter.

Malwarebytes' report is based on data collected from its own enterprise and consumer software products between April 1 and March 31 of this year. According to preliminary estimates by Malwarebytes, an increase in new attacks and the development of new ransomware can be expected this year, but the most at risk will be more lucrative targets in the form of business entities.