Bought a MacBook on Cyber Monday and worried about the Atomic Stealer virus? Here's what you need to know

Date:
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 11:58:35 +0000

Description:
Apples Macs have a great reputation for security, but a new Mac malware
proves theyre not invulnerable.

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There have been a ton of great MacBook deals over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and you might have found yourself the happy owner of a brand-new
Apple computer. While we dont mean to burst your bubble, its not all rosy in the land of macOS, as a new malware variant has been discovered that explicitly targets Apple users (via Bleeping Computer ). Luckily, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

The malware in question is the ominously named Atomic Stealer, which has been doing the rounds for a few months. But whats new now is the way its being distributed.

Hackers have taken to hiding the malware behind a fake browser update page as part of a campaign dubbed ClearFake. In Safari, this masquerades as a legitimate update from Apple, when in reality the page is hosted by bad
actors intent on stealing your data.

Once downloaded, the malicious app searches your Mac for as much sensitive data as it can find, including usernames and passwords, credit card info, cryptocurrency wallets, cookies, local files and more. With so much at stake, you really dont want to fall for this trick, especially if youve only just upgraded to a new computer thanks to a great Cyber Monday deal . What can you do to stay safe? (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from this malware and ensure your important data stays out of the clutches of hackers and digital malcontents.

The first thing is to always make sure you update your software through official channels. That means going to the Settings app and selecting General

Software Update. You can also download updates directly from Apples App

Store. If you use the Safari web browser, its included in macOS updates downloaded from the Settings app. If you use a different browser , youll normally find the update in the apps settings or about pages.

The second thing you can do is install one of the best antivirus apps for Mac that can protect you from viruses and other online nasties. Apple has plenty of built-in protection that stops malware accessing certain parts of your
Mac, but it doesnt cover everything. A fast, lightweight antivirus with a strong detection rate (such as one that can spot Atomic Stealer ) can go hand-in-hand with what Apple offers.

And the last thing to do is to simply keep your wits about you. Its highly unlikely that youll get a legitimate software update when browsing a website (as opposed to checking for updates in the Settings app). If youre unsure about something youre being prompted to download, ignore it and leave the website. Do all of the above and youll keep your data safe, and you shiny new Mac in good working order. You might also like Cyber Monday MacBook Pro deals 2023: the hottest Apple laptop deals on sale Best antivirus software for Mac of 2023 Mac users targeted in new malvertising campaign delivering Atomic Stealer



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/bought-a-macbook-on-cyber-monday-and-wo rried-about-the-atomic-stealer-virus-heres-what-you-need-to-know


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