New mac ransomware targets illegal crack tool software

[Terry Ganzi]

Think Twice, Pirates, New Ransomware Locks You Up For Good!
Researchers have uncovered a new form of Mac ransomware, and this one’s a little hard to hate. While it’s never okay to write and spread malicious code, this one targets users who download illegal “crack” tool software.


New ransomware demands payment in Bitcoin to unlock your files.



According to a report by TechRadar, “The ransomware payload is hidden in a program that goes by the name of Patcher, which is found on torrent sites and claims to be a crack (to get around needing a license key) for a couple of popular software offerings: Adobe Premiere Pro and Microsoft Office for Mac (and possibly others, as well).”

Interestingly, this ransomware demands payment in Bitcoin to unlock your files, but there’s a problem: the researchers could find no source of connection back to the originator. They also found no payment history for this ransomware, meaning no one has taken the bait yet. In theory, that means that your files are locked and there’s actually no way to buy your way out of it. You’re just done.

You can catch the rest of this news here: New Mac Ransomware Targets Illegal Crack Tool Software |

 

[Winter Soldier]

Stories like this are a good reminder on the importance of regular backups, and especially of the fact that download pirated softwares and supposed picks to crack them can be disastrous and illegal.

 

[vemn]

* guilty party of using torrent*
But there again I stopped downloading software from torrent sites.. most of the time I'm not getting what I want lol... but yeah...movies still good XD

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Think Twice, Pirates, New Ransomware Locks You Up For Good!
Researchers have uncovered a new form of Mac ransomware, and this one’s a little hard to hate. While it’s never okay to write and spread malicious code, this one targets users who download illegal “crack” tool software.


New ransomware demands payment in Bitcoin to unlock your files.



According to a report by TechRadar, “The ransomware payload is hidden in a program that goes by the name of Patcher, which is found on torrent sites and claims to be a crack (to get around needing a license key) for a couple of popular software offerings: Adobe Premiere Pro and Microsoft Office for Mac (and possibly others, as well).”

Interestingly, this ransomware demands payment in Bitcoin to unlock your files, but there’s a problem: the researchers could find no source of connection back to the originator. They also found no payment history for this ransomware, meaning no one has taken the bait yet. In theory, that means that your files are locked and there’s actually no way to buy your way out of it. You’re just done.

You can catch the rest of this news here: New Mac Ransomware Targets Illegal Crack Tool Software |

I am liking this, this is a fitting punishment for piracy
MS is not too far off from doing what they propose as a
deactivation of Windows 10 key's for Pirated content found
on users PC's. With the telemetry they employ it won't be too hard
to catch users either.

 

[JohnBRogers]

* guilty party of using torrent*
But there again I stopped downloading software from torrent sites.. most of the time I'm not getting what I want lol... but yeah...movies still good XD

It's all about the "provider" you choose xD JK

It's normal that this happens, every malware targets none updated software, and cracked pirate software usually never is, and can't be regularly updated... That's the gamble!

 

[Andytay70]

Robinhood of Ransomware!

 

[Winter Soldier]

I am liking this, this is a fitting punishment for piracy

Yes and It's ironic that there are people willing to spend considerable money to have an Apple computer (or a smartphone) and then exposing themselves to the malware ... because they don't want to spend money for a software license...

 

[Paul123]

Like I have said before, Hackers and Virus makers have done more to reduce software piracy than any DMCA or lawyers initiative, by ensuring if you download pirated software its more than likely to contain a virus or be malware.

 

[Winter Soldier]

Like I have said before, Hackers and Virus makers have done more to reduce software piracy than any DMCA or lawyers initiative, by ensuring if you download pirated software its more than likely to contain a virus or be malware.

Well, every cloud has a silver lining...

 

[Paul123]

Well, every cloud has a silver lining...

Takes the smugness off (a lot of) Mac users too, who used to claim how unsafe Windows is, and how they didnt need a virus checker. I used to work with a lot of graphic designers, who were of this opinion.

 

[Winter Soldier]

Takes the smugness off (a lot of) Mac users too, who used to claim how unsafe Windows is, and how they didnt need a virus checker. I used to work with a lot of graphic designers, who were of this opinion.

I agree, the ideology of social engineering about this attack (because this context has to be considered), is that many Mac users still consider an antivirus as not necessary.
It is true that the common sense would have been able to avoid this attack, simply staying within the law, but the imponderable often plagues our conceptions.
Perhaps in this case, an AV would have detected the ransomware.

 

[Ink]

Yes and It's ironic that there are people willing to spend considerable money to have an Apple computer (or a smartphone) and then exposing themselves to the malware ... because they don't want to spend money for a software license...

Windows users are no different to Mac or Linux users, except it’s easier to pirate software on Windows. For example, Vmware Workstation Pro costs $250.00, and cannot deny some reviewers on YouTube use pirated copies.

Adobe Creative Cloud software is much cheaper than what it used to be, although you are only renting the software services with monthly payments. It’s no different to paying for Netflix, Spotify, Xbox Live Gold or Playstation Plus.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Like I have said before, Hackers and Virus makers have done more to reduce software piracy than any DMCA or lawyers initiative

I agree, well said and very true.
The initiative that MS is employing isn't in full swing yet, I need to go look it up.
I think things like this OP brings, and MS getting involved with key deactivation is
going to do a lot in the near future.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Here is a link to that, I will post more current and relevant info as I find it.
Windows 10 EULA Now Declares Microsoft Can Find And Deactivate Your Pirated Software