This latest Mac malware opens emails until the system crashes.
This is not the first time malware has targeted Mac computers. Once a Mac gets compromised by this malware, it prompts a fake Apple support number for the victims to call so that they can have their machine fixed.
This Mac tech support scam is on the rise and they are creating unusual malware which tries to crash the system.
So far, this is what we know about the malware. It tries to infect the machine by means of a malicious email, and one other method is by visiting a specially crafted registered scam website.
According to Malwarebytes researchers, it is so infectious for Mac users that running Safari to browse the infected domains can execute the attack code on the machine.
So what happens next? From there on, once the malicious code has been ran on the machine, it immediately checks the version of OS X to see if it can perform a Denial-Of-Service attack and attempts to run it by repeatedly opening draft emails.
It continuous to draft new emails in separate windows until they have created enough emails to occupy all of the memory and crash the system. The said email contains the subject line informing the user that the computer is infected and ther support number to call to have the issue resolved.
In some cases, it will open up iTunes without any user prompting and displaying the fake contact number to call.
On the bright side, the most up-to-date version of OS X which is macOS Sierra 10.12.2 does not appear to be vulnerable to the DDoS attack against the email application. It is highly recommended to patch their systems to ensure that they have the most protection available against the new malware attack.
This tech support scam is a cat and mouse chase. Malware developers will always find a way to target web users, may it be Microsoft, Mac, Linux and other OS.
Vigilance, presence of mind and common sense has always been the best way avoid getting infected in the first place.
Think before you click.
