Ransomware attack on Apple and Transmission users

[mwonter]

First known ransomware attack on Mac users launched Friday via an update to Transmission BT client. Read about it here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-ransomware-idUSKCN0W80VX

[aikowolf]

if us Mac users were using Transmission and not already aware of this - this warning is a bit late - they're most likely locked up by now :down:

but good reminder that just because there haven't been too many virus attacks targeting Mac in the past doesn't mean the future will be the same

[Luke_of_Mass]

RansoMware** :wave:

I hadn't heard of it before, though... I wonder how they could possibly secure payment from victims without giving themselves away? :hmm:

[aikowolf]

RansoMware** :wave:

I hadn't heard of it before, though... I wonder how they could possibly secure payment from victims without giving themselves away? :hmm:


bitcoin

[Luke_of_Mass]

But isn't it the case you can't really use bitcoin without disclosing personal information? Such as a mailing address for something you buy with it? Or how else does it work? From what I understood it was something like restriction-less paypal with a proprietary digital currency..?

[mwonter]

I see Reuters has rewritten the piece linked above and no longer mention bitcoin, which the original article called difficult to trace or words to that effect. The rewritten article does have info on the number of Mac users who may have downloaded the Transmission update that included the ransomware.

Here's a link to what torrentfreak has to say about it all:
https://torrentfreak.com/mac-bittorrent-client-transmission-infected-with-ransomware-160306/

[Luke_of_Mass]

I see Reuters has rewritten the piece linked above and no longer mention bitcoin, which the original article called difficult to trace or words to that effect.

Orwell, anyone? :ah:

[sonofedg]

I got that virus about 9 months ago in a Windows Platform. Took 3 complete wipes of the drive and restarts to finally get rid of it . . . External Hard drives are the best vaccine for this pest . . .Got the feeling like it was more of a screensaver, then anything else . . .