Contrary to popular belief, Macs do get hacked. It doesn’t happen as frequently as it does on Windows machines, but Macs can be infected by all forms of malware, and it’s happening with more frequency. This spyware is called Fruitfly, and it’s about as nasty and creepy as I’ve seen.
Fruitfly spyware basically gives a hacker control over your entire computer. So, think about someone having access to your webcam, mouse, microphone, keyboard. They know when your computer is in use. Hackers are able to take non-consensual photos, capture screenshots, track keystrokes, and record audio. They can also track location. From what Security Experts have relayed, it’s not even about financial gain or even stealing “secrets.” It’s literally used for voyeur reasons: collecting private data from regular people. Creepy, right?
So how do you prevent this awful scenario? Experts still aren’t sure who created the malware and how it is delivered, but they suggest following security best practices. Avoid pop-up ads, banners and suspicious file attachments; use extreme caution when downloading free software; and update applications frequently. You should also install anti-malware and anti-spyware software with detection capabilities, and perform full system scans as often as possible. Apple has also released security patches to detect and block Fruitfly. Make sure to keep your operating system up to date at all times.
Although Windows PCs are targeted more often, hackers will continue to uncover new vulnerabilities regardless of operating systems – phones included. This means you need strong security software, on all your devices. Education is key to prevention, so if you have questions, or you’re worried about flies on your Mac, talk to the Genius Bar or your Bird friends.