Apple’s security offering is one of the product features the company often highlights when compared to other brands. And although numerous reports show that bitten apple works in this field, its products still rank among the best. Targets of cybercriminals. In fact, it is a number that increases every year.

According to a research report by Malwarebytes The evolution of malware in the past yearMac threats are on the rise, and there are some threats that need particular attention.

Ransomware invades Apple

Malwarebytes has confirmed that ransomware remains the most significant cyber threat facing businesses. It is characterized by taking control of a user’s files or information and demanding money in exchange for publishing them.

The number of known attacks has increased by 68 per cent, average ransom demands have skyrocketed and the biggest ransom demand of the year was a staggering $80 million sought by the LockBit gang following the attack on Royal Mail.

Ransomware increased in 2023

Some key aspects of the security report confirmed:

• Companies need to be prepared not only for malware but also for cyber threats.
• Ransomware has now become a zero-day threat.
• Criminals are targeting Macs more than ever.
• Threat actors avoid detection by using the “flying under the radar” tactic.
• Marcos is being replaced by malvertising.
• A new threat prevention guide is needed.

The report continues to cover developments in malvertising, zero-day ransomware, Living Off The Land (LOTL) cyberattack technique, and Android banking trojans before they progress to malware status on Mac.

In 2023, Mac malware has adopted a number of tactics that remind us that there is no inherent “Apple magic” that prevents malicious tools and tactics that work on Windows machines from working the same way on Macs.

Malware accounts for 11% of threat/potentially unwanted program (PUP) detections on Mac, and here is Malwarebytes’ total breakdown of Mac threats since 2023:

Malware threats on Mac 2023, according to Malwarebytes

The report also took into account the list of countries that are most attacked when it comes to ransomware. The United States tops the list, followed by the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Canada, which we can see in the image below.

Countries with the most rawsomware attacks, according to Malwarebytes

The rapid evolution of the threat requires constant scrutiny by Apple, beyond the notable attention it usually warrants.