Security News > 2021 > July > MacOS Being Picked Apart by $49 XLoader Data Stealer

The data stealer is distributed in the form of malware-as-a-service and stands out from competing malware by being drop-dead simple to use, outfitting even code dummies with a multipurpose malware tool.

According to the report, FormBook disappeared from malware markets in 2018, then rebranded to XLoader in 2020.

Yaniv Balmas, head of cyber research at Check Point, called XLoader "Far more mature and sophisticated than its predecessors," given that it's made itself at home on MacOS computers: an environment that historically hasn't been cozy for malware.

XLoader is just the latest example of how the gap has steadily been closing when it comes to prevalence of PC vs. macOS malware, Balmas continued.

"The truth is that MacOS malware is becoming bigger and more dangerous," he said.

"With the increasing popularity of MacOS platforms, it makes sense for cyber criminals to show more interest in this domain, and I personally anticipate seeing more cyber threats following the FormBook malware family. I would think twice before opening up any attachments from emails I get from senders I don't know."

News URL

https://threatpost.com/macos-49-xloader-data-stealer/167971/