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First ransomware targeting Mac users discovered in Transmission BitTorrent client

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First ransomware targeting Mac users discovered in Transmission BitTorrent client

Users of the popular open-source Transmission BitTorrent client for OS X were in for quite a surprise this weekend when it was discovered that certain installers for version 2.90 of the application were found to bundle unwanted ransomware with the installation, which is a type of malware that restricts file access across the system to cause trouble for the user.

Dubbed KeRanger by security research firm Palo Alto Networks, the malicious software will try to encrypt the user’s system files in such a way as to tamper with the user’s access to their Mac and then force the user to pay money to get their access back.

The team has also issued the v2.92 update for the app that will automatically remove the malware from your Mac once installed.

Everyone running 2.90 on OS X should immediately upgrade to and run 2.92, as they may have downloaded a malware-infected file. This new version will make sure that the “OSX.KeRanger.A” ransomware (more information available here) is correctly removed from your computer.
Users of 2.91 should also immediately upgrade to and run 2.92. Even though 2.91 was never infected, it did not automatically remove the malware-infected file.

Apparently, the ransomware is only installed on your Mac if you directly downloaded the DMG of the update from Transmission’s website, and not if you installed the update from within the app itself.

The ransomware called “KeRanger” will automatically start encrypting hard disks three days after infecting a Mac and will then ask users to shell out money to allow them to retrieve their data. The ransom money it is asking is 1 bitcoin or about $US400.

If you use Transmission, it is highly recommended that you update to the latest version of the app right away to remove the malware from your Mac. Apple is already aware of the issue and has revoked the digital Apple Developer certificate of the Transmission team for the time being. 

Users of the preferred open-source Transmission BitTorrent client for OS Y have been in for moderately a wonder this weekend while it used to be discovered that sure installers for model 2.90 of the appliance have been discovered to package undesirable ransomware with the install, that is one of those malware that restricts document get right of entry to around the gadget to lead to hassle for the consumer.

Dubbed KeRanger through safety analysis company Palo Alto Networks, the malicious device will attempt to encrypt the consumer’s device information in one of these method as to tamper with the consumer’s get entry to to their Mac after which drive the consumer to pay cash to get their get right of entry to again.

The staff has additionally issued the v2.92 update for the app as a way to routinely cast off the malware out of your Mac as soon as put in.
Everyone operating 2.90 on OS Y will have to in an instant improve to and run 2.92, as they'll have downloaded a malware-inflamed record. This new model will ensure that the “OSX.KeRanger.I” ransomware (more information available here) is appropriately got rid of out of your pc.
Users of 2.91 will have to additionally in an instant improve to and run 2.92. Even despite the fact that 2.91 used to be by no means inflamed, it didn't mechanically cast off the malware-inflamed document.
Apparently, the ransomware is handiest put in for your Mac in the event you immediately downloaded the DMG of the update from Transmission’s web site, and now not for those who put in the update from inside the app itself.

The ransomware referred to as “KeRanger” will routinely get started encrypting onerous disks 3 days after infecting a Mac and can then ask users to shell out cash so they can retrieve their knowledge. The ransom cash it's asking is 1 bitcoin or approximately $US400.

If you employ Transmission, it's extremely really helpful that you simply update to the up to date model of the app in no time to take away the malware out of your Mac. Apple is already acutely aware of the problem and has revoked the virtual Apple Developer certificates of the Transmission workforce in the intervening time. 
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