A Mac is not a fortress, but it’s remained resilient against the worst sorts of attacks that have plagued Windows over decades and Android over years. Ransomware and other malware routinely appears to target macOS users, but it typically requires something extra to move into play. We made a misstep in judgment, or we trust something is true that is not.
So that your columnist doesn’t appear to be looking down at mere mortals, I should note that I received a text message from DHL the other day about an upcoming package. I had, in fact, a package I was expecting from the UK, saw the link, and clicked it—and three-tenths of a second later hastily closed the browser tab that opened. My defenses were down, as I expected a DHL text.
A normal DHL text looks like this:
DHL Express 1234567890 from SENDER NAME. estimated Wed Jul 31. Manage delivery: https://delivery.dhl.com/US/adsfad Reply END to stop msgs
But the one I received said something like:
Hello, mate, your DHL package is attempting to deliver http://98098adfadfasd.alsdfjas.com/98adf098asf0adf9
The text shouldn’t have fooled me, but my normal skepticism was overridden expectation. So far as I know, this click wasn’t to a zero-day exploit that loaded—an unpatched bug used for high-value targets, typically—but to an ad. May I interest you in some fine beluga caviar, very cheap, or knock-off leather bags? Click here.
Anyway, it can happen to any of us, but we can prepare for the worst. Here’s how.
Read more at MacWorld.com