Mac Ransomware 'Mabouia' Coming Soon; Malware Details Released!

Mac Ronsomeware, "Mabouia," has been announced. 

A recent research was conducted by a Brazilian proving that Mac computers are vulnerable of ransomware virus.

Apple Mac computers have not been reported for any ransomware virus related issues but this doesn't show that it is more secured than Windows PCs. Ransomware is a type of malware that takes a user's access and data from a computer in return for a money ransom, according to PC World.

The Brazilian researcher had developed a proof-of-concept that can inflict a ransomware into the OS X for Mac which findings are verified by the computer security company, Symantec.

"Symantec's analysis has confirmed that the PoC is functional. Marques said he has no intention of publicly releasing the malware," according to Symantec's statement reported in Tech Times.

Rafael Salema Marques, a Brazilian developer called the malware, "Mabouia" who shared that the malware can affect the computer's functionality by targeting its software composition with a single line code.

"It's a simple code, I did it in two days," Marques said in a phone interview conducted by Motherboard. The program's purpose is to raise awareness that Mac computers can be prone to ransomware.

"The point was to warn people. Mac malware is a reality," he added in contradiction to the idea that Mac computers to be virus-free.

Mabouia works just like other ransomwares but the difference is, after it hides the files, an identification code will appear on the user's screen. The code needs to be encoded into Mabouia's website that allows a maximum of 72 hours window to receive the payment otherwise if the user fails to pay within the deadline, the encryption key will be destroyed along with the files, according to Tech Times.

"Even if you remove the malware from your Mac, your files will remain encrypted... So think again before doing silly actions," according to the warning posted on the hacker's website.

It has been revealed that Rafael Salema Marquesm may not be the first Mac ransomware developer. An OS X malware engineering expert, Pedro Vilaça released the same concept two months ago but didn't developed a full working version of it to avoid the program to end up in wrong hands, according to Motherboard.