Mac users generally tend to be better protected against malware and other online threats than Windows users. That doesn't mean they are immune, however.
Shlayer, a malware tool for distributing unwanted advertisements on MacOS systems, is a case in point. Since first surfacing in February 2018, the malware has emerged as the most widely distributed threat on the MacOS platform. Among those most impacted by the malware are MacOS users in the US, Germany, France, and the UK.
Kaspersky, which has been tracking Shlayer for some time, this week described it as currently infecting at least one in 10 Mac users. Though the malware has little to separate it from other malicious software from a purely technical standpoint, it continues to remain as active as when it first surfaced.
According to Kaspersky, in 2019 Shlayer-related attacks accounted for nearly 30% of all attacks on MacOS devices protected by the company's products. Worse, almost all of the other remaining top 10 MacOS threats were adware products distributed by Shlayer. Among them were AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero, AdWare.OSX.Geonei, AdWare.OSX.Pirrit, and AdWare.OSX.Cimpli, the security vendor noted.
One reason for Shlayer's continuing prevalence is the manner in which it is being distributed. Currently, over 1,000 "partner" websites distribute Shlayer on behalf of the malware's authors. Unsuspecting users who arrive on these sites — many of which hawk pirated content — are typically redirected to fake Flash Player update pages from where the malware gets downloaded on MacOS systems. The partner sites get paid for each download.
"The affiliate network is an intermediate link between the creators of the Trojan and ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
