There is now malware that was specifically tailored in order to run on the Apple M1 chip indicating that the said malware authors have reportedly started adapting the malicious software for Apple's new gen of Macs with the Apple silicon.
First Apple M1 malware found
Mac securities researcher known as Patrick Wardle, has recently published a report that was cited by Wired explaining in intricate detail just how the malware became adapted and recompiled for it to run natively on the Apple M1 chip. Wardle has just discovered the first ever known native M1 malware in the form of a particular Safari adware extension.
The malware was said to be originally written for it to run on the Intel x86 chips. The said malicious extension is called the "GoSearch22" and is a well-known member of the said "Pirrit" Mac adware family. It was first spotted during the end of December. Pirrit is known as one of the oldest as well as most active Mac adware families. It has also been known to constantly change in a particular attempt to evade detection. Due to this, it is quite unsurprising that it has actually already started adapting for the Apple M1.
Adware looks 'legitimate'
GoSearch22 adware initially presents itself like just another legitimate Safari browser extension. However, this still collects user data and even serves quite a large number of ads just like banners as well as popups. These include some that actually link towards malicious websites in order to proliferate even more malware.
Wardle then notes that the adware was actually signed along with an Apple Developer ID back in November in order to further conceal its particularly malicious content, but has since then been revoked. Wardle also notes that since the malware for the said Apple M1 is currently in its early stages, the known antivirus scanners are still not detecting it quite as easily as the general x86 versions and the defensive tools like the antivirus engines are also struggling in order to process the amended files.
Read Also: Apple M1 Chip Vs Intel: Next-Gen Macs Will Be Way Better But With One BIG Disadvantage!
New variants of malware
According to the story by MacRumors, the signatures reportedly used in order to detect threats from the said malware on the Apple M1 chips have reportedly not yet been substantially observed. The security tools needed to detect as well as deal with it are reportedly not yet available. Researchers coming from the security company named Red Canary gave a statement to Wired that there are other types of native Apple M1 malware, quite distinct from Wardle's findings, have also actually been found and are also being investigated.
While the said Apple M1-native malware that researchers have reportedly found does not seem to be quite unusual or even particularly dangerous, the new emergence of these particular new variants are taken as a warning that there is going to be more to come. Check out Wardle's full report regarding the very first M1-native malware ever found.
Related Article: Apple M1 Disables iMazing, Other Third Party Sideloading Software; Users Lose Access to a Lot of Apps
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian Buenconsejo
