Fighting malware and spam

Cyber attacks: how are Mac OS X and iOS users playing the role?

Methusela Cebrian Ferrer iThreats

While a proliferation of cyber attack tools and expertise are widely available for the Windows platform, Apple's closed and locked down approach continuously rules; it creates a lucrative platform of opportunity and at the same time manages to tighten the security of its own backyard.

Cybercriminals have made attempts to attack the Mac platform in the past, and recently the cross-platform 'Boonana' clearly shows that it remains lurking for profitable opportunity. However, a cyber attack is a form of threat that is not motivated directly by financial gain but rather it is designed for a cause. The attack refers to a deliberate action against data, software, network or website.

This paper seeks to discuss the latest offensive developments and understand how Mac OS X and iOS users are playing the role in this emerging type of threats. It will also highlight the notable feature to help us recognize these attacks. Useful tools and commands used during the investigation will also be discussed.