Researchers at Malwarebytes discovered this. While malware for Macs has been around for a long time, most of them target Windows computers.
The malware is contained in multiple torrent files that seem to offer illegal downloads for Mac software. As soon as you try to install it, multiple system files on the Mac are encrypted.
Error messages
This causes users to see multiple error messages while some operating system components stop working properly. The search field has stopped working and the passwords stored on the Mac are suddenly inaccessible.
In time, victims will see a report from the attackers. “Your files are encrypted,” reads this message. “You can only get your files back with our decryption service.”
50 dollar
“We guarantee you’ll get everything back safely when you pay $ 50.” It is not clear whether files are actually made accessible again after money has been transferred to the attackers.
Malwarebytes advises Mac users to back up their files. If they are ever affected by the malware, they can simply restore those backups.
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