iWorm: Hackers are using Reddit to control 17,000 Apple Mac computers
More than a thousand Apple computers in the UK have been compromised
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A flaw in the Mac operating system is being exploited by hackers, giving them control of thousands of Apple computers around the world.
More than 17,000 Macs, 1200 of which are in the UK, have been infiltrated by the malware dubbed “Mac.BackDoor.iWorm.”
The programme gives the hacker remote access to the infected computer through a complicated communication system that manipulates the search and comment functions of the popular website Reddit.
When a Mac is infected with the iWorm it makes a connection to a command server, Russian security company Dr Web has discovered.
It then uses Reddit’s search function to locate comments posted by hackers in a thread devoted to the discussion of the building-block game Minecraft.
After finding the comments, the malware attempts to connect to the server addresses listed in the Minecraft subreddit, and once connected, the hackers can enter commands to their "botnet" of infected computers.
Botnets are designed to send spam emails, mine for Bitcoin, or direct so much traffic to a website that it crashes.
The compromised computers don’t appear to have used for an attack yet, according to Business Insider, so it’s likely that the iWorm network is still growing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments