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On Wed, 5 Feb, 12:09 AM UTC
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Protect your data as cybercriminals use AI to target macOS in 2025
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read our ethics policy. Cybercriminals are upping their game in 2025 with smarter AI and stealthier ransomware targeting Mac users, leaving defenders scrambling to keep up. The year 2025 may mark the turning point for AI's role in cybersecurity, according to a recent report from Malwarebytes. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT have made minor waves since their debut, their capabilities have largely been limited to assisting with coding and research tasks. However, the arrival of agentic AI -- artificial intelligence capable of acting autonomously and solving complex tasks -- is set to change this dynamic. Agentic AI represents a leap beyond generative tools, giving defenders the ability to automate time-intensive tasks like network monitoring, patching vulnerabilities, and identifying threats. Agents could help close the persistent skills gap in cybersecurity. For example, AI agents could manage overnight threat detection, handle real-time anomaly tracking, and prioritize patch deployments without constant human oversight. However, the same technology could empower attackers to scale operations. Cybercriminals may use agentic AI to carry out simultaneous ransomware attacks, craft sophisticated phishing campaigns, and even breach networks autonomously. Ransomware continues to dominate as the most lucrative cybercrime, with a 13% rise in attacks in 2024. The largest ransom payment on record -- $75 million -- occurred in 2024 and was paid to the Dark Angels group from an unknown Fortune 50 company. However, the ransomware ecosystem is shifting, with major players like LockBit and ALPHV losing influence and smaller, "dark horse" gangs stepping into the spotlight. These smaller groups have democratized ransomware, making tools and techniques more accessible to cybercriminals. As a result, attacks are not only increasing but also becoming faster and more sophisticated. Many now rely on stealth, executing entire attack chains, from gaining access to encrypting data, within hours. On macOS, this trend is amplified by the rise of advanced information stealers like Poseidon and Atomic Stealer. These stealers exploit malvertising campaigns to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive data such as passwords and cryptocurrency wallets. In recent years, macOS has seen a notable increase in targeted cyberattacks, correlating with its growing adoption in personal and corporate environments. In 2024, the emergence of sophisticated threats like the Banshee macOS Stealer highlighted the platform's vulnerability to advanced attacks. When it comes to AI, phishing scams are getting harder to spot, and Mac users aren't immune. Cybercriminals are using AI to craft emails that mimic messages from Apple, financial institutions, or workplace IT teams. AI tools can analyze email patterns to generate highly convincing messages, complete with personalized details that make them seem authentic. Meanwhile, AI-driven malvertising campaigns ensure that fake ads promoting popular Mac software, like productivity apps or security tools, appear at the top of search results. With AI refining these attacks in real-time, traditional red flags like poor grammar or generic messages are no longer reliable warning signs. To tackle the rising threats, cybersecurity teams need to rethink their strategies. Using AI-driven tools can help bridge the skills gap by automating threat detection and response. Enhancing endpoint security is also essential, where advanced solutions can identify suspicious behavior. Securing access points is another priority, starting with disabling remote desktop protocols and limiting tools vulnerable to exploitation. Finally, staff training remains crucial -- teams must be equipped to recognize phishing attempts and social engineering tactics to stay ahead of attackers.
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Hackers are using AI to attack your Mac and it's only going to get worse
Malwarebytes' annual report finds that malware attacks are becoming more sophisticated, thanks to AI. Malwarebytes has released its 2025 State of Malware report, which reveals that AI has also captured the attention of threat agents and will become a key tool in future malware attacks. The AI implementation that has gained a wide audience is generative AI, which can create content based on a user's inquiry. For example, Apple Intelligence tools such as the Image Playground app or Writing Tools create content based on input the user provides. According to Malwarebytes, generative AI has not had a significant impact on malware. However, the next iteration of AI is what experts call agentic AI, which can act autonomously to solve complex, multi-tiered problems. According to Malwarebytes, "Big game ransomware requires a lot of human labor," and a lot of that labor can be addressed with agentic AI by threat agents. "Agentic AI could be used to scale up the number and speed of attacks," according to the report. Agentic AI can also be used to defend against malware attacks through autonomous agents that can proactively check for vulnerabilities, monitor systems, and ensure that security patches are put into place. Malwarebytes recommends that organizations "operate their security as efficiently as possible" to protect against attacks, which includes active monitoring of security consoles and acting on alerts immediately. Automated tools can be used to install security patches quickly and efficiently. Malwarebyte's report is targeted at IT professionals and the "big game" attacks the report covers involve corporations. The report also states that 2024 was the worst year ever for known ransomware attacks, which rose 13 percent. The U.S. saw a majority of the reported attacks, and two-thirds of the attacks were targeted at the manufacturing sector. The easiest way to protect yourself as an individual user from malware is to avoid downloading software from repositories such as GitHub and other download sites. Apple has vetted software in the Mac App Store and is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to patronize the Mac App Store, then buy software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk malware exposure. Apple releases security patches through OS updates, so installing them as soon as possible is important. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether or not you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and a comparison of Mac security software.
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As AI technology advances, cybercriminals are leveraging it to launch more sophisticated attacks on macOS, posing significant challenges for cybersecurity professionals and individual users alike.
The cybersecurity landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a double-edged sword in the hands of both defenders and attackers. According to a recent report by Malwarebytes, 2025 marks a critical juncture in AI's role in cybersecurity, with the emergence of agentic AI posing new challenges and opportunities 1.
Agentic AI, capable of autonomous action and complex problem-solving, represents a significant leap beyond current generative AI tools. While it offers defenders the ability to automate crucial tasks like network monitoring and vulnerability patching, it also empowers cybercriminals to scale their operations unprecedentedly 1.
Ransomware continues to be the most lucrative form of cybercrime, with attacks rising by 13% in 2024. The landscape is shifting, however, with smaller "dark horse" gangs gaining prominence and democratizing access to sophisticated attack tools 1.
For macOS users, the threat landscape is intensifying. Advanced information stealers like Poseidon and Atomic Stealer are exploiting malvertising campaigns to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive data. The emergence of threats like the Banshee macOS Stealer in 2024 underscores the platform's growing vulnerability to advanced attacks 1.
AI is making phishing scams increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals are using AI to craft highly convincing emails that mimic messages from trusted sources like Apple, financial institutions, or workplace IT teams. These AI-generated messages often include personalized details that make them appear authentic 1.
Similarly, AI-driven malvertising campaigns are ensuring that fake ads promoting popular Mac software appear prominently in search results. As AI refines these attacks in real-time, traditional red flags like poor grammar or generic messaging are becoming less reliable indicators of malicious intent 1.
To combat these evolving threats, cybersecurity teams must adapt their strategies. Key recommendations include:
For individual Mac users, Malwarebytes advises:
As AI continues to shape the cybersecurity landscape, staying informed and implementing robust security measures will be crucial for both organizations and individual users to protect against increasingly sophisticated threats.
Reference
A comprehensive look at how AI and malware-as-a-service are transforming the landscape of Mac security, making it easier for cybercriminals to create sophisticated malware targeting macOS users.
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