A malicious software called the KeRanger Malware is attacking Mac devices running on OS X. It's the first known ransomeware for Mac users and while it's a rare and isolated occurrence, it's still important to protect the device.
Reuters reports that it was the Palo Alto Networks Inc. that discovered the ransomeware Friday. It's used by hackers to infect and hijack Mac computers so that its owners will have to pay up to retrieve their own data.
"This is the first one in the wild that is definitely functional, encrypts your files and seeks a ransom," said Ryan Olson, the director of Palo Alto Networks Inc. Users became susceptible to the attack after downloading the latest version of Transmission, a BitTorrent file-sharing client.
Apple quickly addressed the security breach by revoking the digital software installation for those classified as rogue software, per NDTV. If you've downloaded a suspicious program or suspect your Mac has been compromised, here's what you must to do protect your device:
1) At any instance, don't install software that asks for your credit card details. Some malware are disguised as antivirus detection software, but don't be fooled by this.
2) Quit your browser if you get a warning about malicious software detection.
3) Check your Downloads folder and send any files you don't recognize to the Trash, then empty this.
4) Use "Finder" to locate the Transmission file and delete this from your system, according to Wired.
5) Use the "Activity Monitor" in your OS X to check if there's a "kernel_service" running in the background. If so, go to "Open Files and Ports" and look for the kernel_service filename in the Library. Force quit this and then delete to Trash. Do the same for files that have the names ".kernel_pid", ".kernel_time", ".kernel_complete" or "kernel_service" in your Library directory.
6) Always be careful about where you're getting your downloads and ensure that the site is secure and trustworthy.
