The researchers traced the tainted software back to Pirate Bay, which allows people to download content and programs illegally. Miners perform complex math problems for the chance to receive new coins such as bitcoin or Ethereum. Most Macs come equipped with powerful ARM processors which make them attractive targets for the malware, Jamf researchers said. Yet in recent months researchers have found more instances of cryptomining targeting Mac users. The cybercriminals profit when victims click on the ads. Jamf researchers noted that most of the malware that typically targets Mac operating systems is adware, unwanted software designed to put advertisements onscreen, typically within a web browser. Since January, however, several vendors have begun to detect the malware. At the time of its discovery, Jamf said the sample was not detected as malicious by any security vendors on VirusTotal - a platform used to catalog malware. In the examples Jamf examined, hackers modified a version of Final Cut Pro to execute XMRig in the background. The cryptomining tool – named XMRig – can be legitimately used to mine cryptocurrency on one’s own devices, but is adaptable and has been widely abused by cybercriminals.

“Apple is at a bit of a disadvantage in this particular scenario as users who opt to run pirated software have essentially already accepted that getting applications for free is worth the risk of whatever threat the application may pose,” Bradley said.

“Attackers see an easy opportunity when they don’t have to convince users to run their malware, but rather the users come to them willing to install something they know is illegal,” he said.įinal Cut Pro, a popular suite of video-editing tools, costs about $300 for Apple users. Jaron Bradley, senior manager of MacOS detections at the Minneapolis-based firm, told The Record that malware disguised as or embedded inside of pirated applications has been an issue since the early days of software pirating.

Researchers at device management company Jamf said they have been monitoring a family of malware that has resurfaced over the past few months and has been operating undetected. Hackers are using pirated versions of video editing software Final Cut Pro to install malicious cryptomining software on Apple devices, according to a new report.

How to check for malware on macbook pro