New malware aimed at Apple products could allow hackers to completely takeover your Mac, and you may have no idea until it's too late. The malware is disguised as an app called "EasyDoc Converter.app" and is easily found on legitimate websites. The "app" is supposed to convert documents, but Bitdefender researchers quickly found out what it really does.
"Instead, it silently installs a backdoor in the system that gives the attacker full access to the operating system, tofile explorer, shell execution, webcam image and video capture and more. The application is created using Platypus, a tool used for native MAC apps from shell, Perl, Python or Ruby scripts," a Bitdefender report reads.
That's right, instead of converting files the "app" gives criminals full reign over your computer. If installed, criminals can steal pictures and videos, plus they can hop onto your webcam and watch your every move. To make matters even worse, victims may have no idea that anything is wrong.
"This component creates a Tor hidden service that allows an attacker to anonymously access the control-and-command center from the outside- a local web server dubbed Web Service (PHP)-via a Tor-generated address," researchers note.
If an attacker is able to take over a device, then it could mean game over for users.
"This type of malware is particularly dangerous as it's hard to detect and offers the attacker full control of the compromised system," says Tiberius Axinte, Technical Leader, Bitdefender Anti-malware Lab. "For instance, someone can lock you out of your laptop, threaten to blackmail you to restore your private files, or transform your laptop into a botnet to attack other devices. The possibilities are endless."
If you have a Mac, don't panic. Apple is known to have the most secure operating systems, and the reputation was earned for a good reason. As long as you are using 'OS X Gatekeeper' then you should be safe, just make sure that the option to only allow apps that come from the Mac App Store and identified developers turned on.