The past decade has witnessed a drastic change in the security landscape of the Apple ecosystem. Unlike the old days, threat actors have started creating threats and malware that exploit the vulnerabilities of macOS. This can greatly impact regular users of macOS and Apple devices in 2023.

Most importantly, you should understand the potential threats targeting Macs and be proactive. Here's what you need to know.

Macs Are Facing More Threats: The Changing Landscape

Be it MacBooks or iMacs, Apple devices have become an essential part of many peoples' daily workflow. This growing number of devices has attracted the attention of the wrong crowd as well. Though Macs are generally more secure than Windows PCs, hackers have found ways to exploit many of the vulnerabilities of the macOS system.

In particular, the findings from a recent report by Bitdefender state that many new threats, such as Trojans and adware, specifically target macOS. In addition to stealing information right away, threats also create backdoors that hackers can use for future unauthorized access.

While it is true that user engagement is often necessary for these threats to install on a Mac, hackers easily get around this hurdle. Threat actors put extra effort to make Mac malware look as legitimate as possible. In most cases, bundleware is used to get the malware into a Mac. The problem is exacerbated by the false sense of security that many Apple users have.

4 Types of Mac Malware to Look Out For

These are four types of malware that are becoming increasingly common on Macs.

1. Ransomware

Ransomware threats can hit any personal computer, including Apple's. Hackers have found ways to disguise ransomware apps, making them appear as potentially useful software in order to gain access to the macOS system.

Once infected, the ransomware takes full control of the Mac, locking not only files and other information but also access to the device. In most cases, even if users pay the ransom demanded by the attackers, there is no guarantee of regaining access to the Mac and its information. This makes prevention the only way to protect your Mac from ransomware attacks.

2. Trojans

Trojans are currently one of the biggest threats that Macs are facing in 2023. Hackers use deception to make you believe that you are installing a useful program, but the program actually contains malicious code that is activated once you grant the necessary permissions.

Hackers also use Trojan malware to gain silent access, record keystrokes, and steal digital information from the device. Unless you proactively look for signs of infection, you might not even know about a Trojan on your Mac.

3. Adware

Adware, considered a common type of spyware, are malicious programs designed to display problematic ads and pop-ups on your Mac, leading you to further complicated websites and platforms.

This malware also finds its way to your Mac through something called bundleware, as it is often combined with seemingly helpful tools.

4. PUA

Potentially Unwanted Applications, better known as PUA, are also something you should look out for while using a Mac in 2023. PUA refers to numerous applications that can cause harm by stealing information, tracking your activities, or running arbitrary code on your Mac.

In this way, PUA can be very problematic, as it is difficult to estimate the harm they can do to your Mac. This type of malware is often propagated through web ads and pop-ups.

How To Protect Your Mac From New Threats

The following proactive steps will help you prevent emerging threats from infecting your Mac.

1. Verify App Sources

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It's also a good way to compromise a computer. Therefore, you should be careful about the sources you turn to for apps. As much as possible, you should install applications from the official Mac App Store.

If you need to install an app from a third-party source, you have to check and recheck the reliability of said source. More importantly, if Apple cannot verify the developer, it may be best not to install the application on your Mac. There's an exception here for open source software, which you may need to verify using a different process, as the Freedom of the Press Foundation explains.

2. Be Careful While Granting Permissions

You should also be careful when granting permissions to specific apps, especially if you have downloaded them from an untrustworthy source. Checking the required permissions for apps is an effective way to improve the privacy of your Mac.

Of course, some applications require certain permissions, and it is important to exercise discretion. For example, if you download a screenshot app for your Mac, it will most likely need access to accessibility options. However, if a simple app is requesting advanced permissions, you should be cautious and avoid granting them. At this point, it would also be a good idea to double-check the reputation of the app.

3. Look Out for Signs of Infection

If your Mac becomes extraordinarily slow after installing a particular app, or if there are random pop-ups appearing on the screen, it is a good idea to check your device for potential malware. Don't simply assume your computer is slowing down or having issues because it's getting older.

Following this security etiquette will also help make sure that your device does not run into problems in the future.

Keep Your Mac Safe

The world of malware targeting Macs is growing, but don't panic. Simply take proactive measures to protect your Mac.

Of You can start by installing an antivirus program on your Mac, but following a security etiquette, as mentioned earlier, is also crucial.