Using email attachments that resemble legitimate documents, a variation of the Dridex banking virus spreads to other macOS users.
Trend Micro’s security analysts noted on Thursday that while the virus had initially been designed to attack Windows, it has since been modified to target macOS.
Dridex Malware
The Dridex malware sample that Trend Micro examined is an executable Mach-O file, which is compatible with iOS and macOS.
When a user opens the Mach-O file, a malicious file within automatically launches. A Windows executable file (.exe) that runs the Dridex virus is then downloaded after it overwrites all Microsoft Word documents in the macOS user directory.
If you use a Mac or MacBook, be aware that the Dridex financial malware, which formerly targeted Windows machines, is now targeting Macs by sending email attachments that mimic ordinary documents.
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How Does The Virus Operate?
Trend Micro’s security analysts noted on Thursday that while the virus had initially been designed to attack Windows, it has since been modified to target macOS.
It is information-stealing software that is allegedly used by the cyber terrorist organization Evil Corp to collect private information from compromised computers. Trend Micro, a provider of cybersecurity software, examined the malware and discovered that it can be executed on iOS and macOS devices.
Since the beginning of its existence, cybersecurity companies have been focusing on the Dridex malware. The objective of this malware is to target and steal personal data from users’ bank accounts.
Dridex is categorized as Trojan malware, which is a category of malware that conceals its dangerous coding within seemingly innocent data to trick users. Cybercriminals commonly propagate it using spam emails that appear to be from an official source.
Because it is embedded within an executable Windows file in this instance, the malware cannot infect the targeted Macs directly. However, downloading the damaged file could result in harmful files being overwritten with legitimate ones on a Mac.
When shared online, it has the potential to unintentionally spread malware to your loved ones, colleagues, and coworkers.
How To Be Secured?
For instance, if you email a receipt from a Gmail account, your credit card provider won’t issue you one.
Gatekeeper and the built-in antivirus program XProtect are two examples of the security technologies provided by Apple with macOS. Additionally, users have the option of downloading antivirus software from a different business.
A web application called VirusTotal can scan URLs and uploaded files to see whether they contain malware. It might be a good idea to scan an email with the website if it contains an attachment of a Microsoft Word document or a Mach-O file, for instance.
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