Angry Birds attack on Apple Mac – ESET detects

Monday, 3 March 2014 01:54 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

If you are about to download a crack version of Angry Birds on to your Mac, watch out! The latest threat report from ESET warns Mac users not to download pirated software from file-sharing peer-to-peer networks, as ESET researchers have discovered wallet stealing malware being spread via cracked apps. The OSX/CoinThieftrojan infects computers running Mac OS X, stealing login credentials related to various Bitcoin exchanges and wallet sites by installing malicious browser add-ons. ESET malware experts have revealed that CoinThief is now being spread via P2P file-sharing networks, disguised as cracked versions of the popular Mac OS X applications BBEdit, Pixelmator, Angry Birds and Delicious Library. ESET is a global provider of security solutions for businesses and consumers. For over 26 years, the Company continues to lead the industry in proactive threat detection. “The hackers behind the CoinThieftrojan are trying to cash in on the current Bitcoin craze and fluctuating exchange rates by breaking into users’ digital wallets,” said security researcher Graham Cluley, who wrote about the threat on ESET’s We Live Security blog. “As ESET’s research team has shown, Mac users who download and install pirated software from torrent sites are not only depriving developers of their rightful income, but putting their computers and finances at risk.” CoinThief was first spotted earlier this month by SecureMac researchers, who found it had been distributed via popular download sites such as Download.com and MacUpdate.com, disguised as trojanised versions of Bitcoin Ticker TTM (To The Moon), BitVanity, StealthBit and Litecoin Ticker. Whether you’re a Bitcoin-enthusiast or not, Mac users are strongly recommended to protect their computers with an up-to-date anti-virus product, and to resist the temptation to download cracked and pirated software, the ESET report says.

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