Although Windows users are historically high. A target for cyber attackers And when it comes to Apple, most of the stories we read are about security. Add the iPhone. One way or another, new research suggests that 100 million macOS users are firmly in the crosshairs. As cybercriminals look to capitalize on the growing popularity of the operating system. Here’s what you need to know about the newly discovered Banshee Stealer threat variant.

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What Apple’s 100 Million Users Need to Know About Banshee Stealer

A new form of MacOS Banshee Stealer vulnerability, capable of hacking browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallets and other sensitive data, has been under the surveillance of security researchers since late last year. Now those threat intelligence experts at Checkpoint Research have published one. New report Warning 100 million users of the real and present dangers posed by this nasty hack attack campaign.

I’m a relatively recent convert to the macOS world, having purchased a MacBook Pro a few years ago because Security Considerations That brings Apple’s ecosystem. I’m not blind to the fact that this doesn’t mean that anyone using macOS is somehow immune to attack, it just isn’t. Banshee Stealer is proof enough if anyone ever doubted that the dangers of such a stealer-as-a-service apply to Apple users as much as anyone else.

“For $3,000,” Checkpoint researchers said, “attackers can purchase this malware to target macOS users,” with criminal developers “stealing a string encryption algorithm from Apple’s own XProtect antivirus engine.” taken, replacing the plaintext strings used in the original version.” This likely made it easier for the Banshee to avoid detection. However, the service was shut down when the source code of the malware was leaked on the dark web in late 2024. Checkpoint said at the time that this would lead to new variants, developed by other threat actors, emerging. This has been proven true.

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Apple macOS users should pay attention or suffer security consequences.

While acknowledging that Apple does a good job of including strong security protections for macOS users, such as Gatekeeper, XProtect, and sandboxing, Checkpoint researchers warn that the rebirth of Banshee Stealer and Rise “serves as a reminder that no operating system is immune to threats.” macOS users who ignore this warning do so at their own peril.

This is because Banshee operates undetected and blends seamlessly with normal system processes, yet at all times, it steals browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, user passwords, and sensitive information. Stealing file data. “Even experienced IT professionals struggle to detect its presence,” the Checkpoint report warned, “Banshee Stealer is just another piece of malware. No — this is an important warning to users to reevaluate their security assumptions and take proactive steps to protect their data.”

The latest Banshee variant targets web browsers, including Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Vivaldi, as well as browser extensions for cryptocurrency wallets. “It also leverages two-factor authentication extensions to obtain sensitive credentials,” the report said, adding that it “uses persuasive pop-ups that mimic legitimate systems.” Encourages users to log in to be seen. macOS passwords

“This new Banshee Stellar variant exposes a critical gap in Mac security,” said Ms. Ngoc Bui, cybersecurity expert at Menlo Security. We need a multi-layered approach to security, including more trained hunters on the Mac environment.”

I’ve reached out to Apple for a statement.

ForbesImportant ‘rising threat’ attack warning — change your router password now.



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