MacOS Malware Surge Fueled by Generative AI, Experts Warn - 1

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MacOS Malware Surge Fueled by Generative AI, Experts Warn

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Cybersecurity experts from Moonlock have raised the alarm about a rise in macOS malware driven by generative AI tools like ChatGPT.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • macOS malware surged as its market share rose 60% in three years.
  • Malware-as-a-service (MaaS) has made macOS-targeting malware cheaper and more accessible.
  • AMOS Stealer offers a customizable malware builder and administrative tools for macOS campaigns.

According to Moonlock’s 2024 Threat Report , these tools are enabling cybercriminals to bypass technical barriers and create malicious software with unprecedented speed and ease.

Screenshots shared on darknet forums reveal how hackers are leveraging AI to develop macOS-targeted malware step-by-step.

Inexperienced individuals are using these tools to generate code, build malware packages, and even extract sensitive data, highlighting the alarming role AI now plays in empowering cybercrime.

Once considered a relatively secure platform, macOS has seen a surge in malware threats as its market share grew by 60% over the past three years. Malware-as-a-service (MaaS) models, offering affordable and accessible tools, have fueled this rise.

Hackers are increasingly targeting macOS users with sophisticated malware designed to steal sensitive information, including cryptocurrency wallet details and Keychain data.

The cost of acquiring macOS malware has dropped dramatically. Tools that previously cost tens of thousands of dollars are now available for as little as $1,500 per month, noted Moonlock.

This affordability, combined with AI-assisted malware development, has significantly lowered the barrier to entry for cybercriminals. MaaS has transformed the cybercrime landscape, making macOS malware more accessible than ever, says Moonlock.

Offerings like AMOS Stealer exemplify this shift. Launched in 2023, AMOS provides a customizable malware builder, an administrative panel for managing stolen data, and advanced features tailored to macOS systems, as reported by Moonlock.

Moonlock says that threat actors are employing diverse tactics to distribute malware, such as poisoning Google Ads, creating fake GitHub repositories, and impersonating software downloads.

Moonlock’s report highlights how macOS malware developers are adopting techniques like advanced obfuscation and dynamic code execution to evade detection.

The next generation of malware is expected to feature unpredictable behavior across samples, further complicating defense efforts.

The key to staying safe, experts emphasize, lies in awareness. Cybercriminals rely heavily on social engineering to trick users.

By avoiding suspicious downloads, scrutinizing unusual prompts, and staying informed about evolving threats, macOS users can better protect themselves in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.

Threads Allows Users To Follow Fediverse Accounts - 2

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Threads Allows Users To Follow Fediverse Accounts

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, announced yesterday that the social media platform Threads will allow users to follow fediverse—decentralized platforms running on ActivityPub protocol—accounts.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Mark Zuckerberg announced that Threads will now allow users to interact with other fediverse platforms and accounts
  • Users will be able to follow Mastodon accounts and interact with content on decentralized platforms on the ActivityPub protocol
  • Users were confused with the new features and the limitations of the integration

According to PC Mag , Thread users will be able to follow accounts from social media platforms like Mastodon, but only if those accounts have interacted with their content on Meta’s platform before.

Users can also share content on fediverse platforms by adjusting settings and allowing “fediverse sharing” on their Thread accounts profiles.

Adam Mosseri , head of Instagram and Threads, shared a video with more details on how this new feature works. “You can follow people from other fediverse servers who have interacted with federated users or posts on Threads,” wrote Mosseri. “You can see their posts by navigating to their profile, and you can also choose to be notified when they post on their server.”

Threads recently reached 275 million users and has been announcing multiple updates and new features in the past few days, as competitors like Bluesky gain relevance in the market.