A lot of people believed that Mac is similarly more secure than Windows. Well, that is true, but it continued to become a concern year after years. However, Apple’s new M1 processor encountered its first-ever malware months after releasing it.
Apple uses Intel architecture since 2005 until they have come to the point of developing their silicon. Last year, they release their first processor, the Apple M1 chip. That processor is a very great success to the company because it truly performs competitively to other adversaries. Besides, this transition requires software to migrate in a version that runs “natively” on M1 for optimal performance. They decided it for them not to require translating software through an Apple emulator called Rosetta 2. However, malware makers also transitionally started developing for the new M1 chip.
Then a Mac security researcher Patrick Wardle clarifies how the M1 chip can easily be penetrated by malware. The malware found in the M1 chip is a Safari adware extension called “GoSearch22”. They made this malware originally to execute on Intel x86 chips. Also, this “GoSearch22” is a member of the notorious Pirrit Mac adware family, the oldest and most active Mac adware family.
GoSearch22 disguises itself as a legitimate Safari browser extension. It collects user data and prompts a lot of ads including banners and popups that will bring you to a malicious website that contains more malware. Wardle also said that this malware is at a bit early stage, and they have not yet noticed the signature used to identify dangers from this malware. Therefore, using antivirus software and defensive tools is pointless because they will not detect this malware.
Via: Wired
