Phishing Attack on Macs: What You Need to Know
The Threat Has Come to Macs
If you’re using a Mac, such as the new MacBook Air, you might have to be careful. A phishing attack that previously plagued Windows users has now made its way to macOS, and it’s easy to fall for it.
How the Attack Works
Researchers from LayerX have been tracking a well-known phishing attack that caused a lot of grief to those who were tricked by it. Previously, the main target of these hackers was Windows, but Microsoft was able to largely eliminate it – up to 90% of all attacks on Windows PCs are said to have been fixed thanks to new updates to Edge, Chrome, and Firefox that block scareware.
The Attack on Macs
As the hackers were out of luck on Windows, they appear to have turned to macOS. Macs are often said to be safe from hackers, which means some users may let their guard down and be easier to target.
How to Protect Yourself
We’ve all seen similar pop-ups in the past, but this attack feels more legitimate because it also freezes the website that the victim is viewing. An unresponsive PC with a message saying that it’s been compromised is often enough for someone to give up their login credentials.
What You Can Do
- Stay vigilant: weird pop-ups that ask you to log in may look believable, but it’s important to stay vigilant.
- Warn friends and family members: if you have friends or family members who are less plugged into the latest tech news, warn them.
- Be prepared: it’s unclear when, or if, Apple will be rolling out a security update to address this phishing attack, so it’s a good idea to be prepared.
Conclusion
A phishing attack that previously targeted Windows users has made its way to macOS, and it’s easy to fall for it. To protect yourself, stay vigilant, warn friends and family members, and be prepared. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and it’s never a bad idea to be cautious when it comes to your online security.
