Apple Puts A Stop To New Ransomware Targeting Macs

The ransomware (Which is is a type of malware that restricts access to the infected computer system in some way, and demands that the user pay a ransom to the malware operators to remove the restriction), known as KeRanger, was placed into 2 installers for Transmission, an open source BitTorrent client. Once infected, the malware would encrypt a user's files and demand a ransom of $400 to release the files. Thankfully, Apple has shut down KeRanger. Every Mac has built-in anti-malware software called XProtect that's part of File Quarantine. It's been part of OS X since 10.6 Snow Leopard, and it works with "file quarantine-aware" apps like Safari, Chrome, Mail and Messages to normally warn you that you're about to launch an application downloaded from the Internet. If File Quarantine sees that the app you're trying to launch is included in the XProtect malware definitions, you get a much more severe warning telling you exactly what malware will infected you computer. With Macs growing in popularity ver the years, this just makes them a bigger target for malware. Looks like Mac users are no longer safe from malware like in the good ol days. Practice save browsing everyone.