Apple Computers, known for not being as susceptible to viruses as PCs, have been successfully targeted by Ransomware.
Ransomware is malicious software that infects a computer like a virus, and then encrypts and locks user files, asking the user to pay a ransom to return their files to normal. The program in question, dubbed keRanger, requires victims to pay one Bitcoin, which is a little more than $400 and is untraceable, to retrieve their files. Once the ransom is paid the hacker may or may not return the users file to a usable state; there is no guarantee.
The ransomware targets a program, popular with Mac users, called “Transmission”. This is the first time known that a fully functional version of ransomware has been detected in Apple’s operating system.
Apple products’ security is currently under intense security as the company is engaged in a major standoff with the U.S. government over the security of its iPhone.
The only sure-fire way to protect your system, data, and files from these types of attacks is to use an automated online backup service. St. Aubin Technologies strongly recommends that all our clients use Carbonite Online Backup services to keep their data safe and for the restoration of data in the event of catastrophic failure.