The Lockbit Cybercriminals Gang Has Now Targeted Apple Products By Developing Its First Ransomware For Mac Computers.

Security research group MalwareHunterTeam recently discovered that Lockbit had developed ransomware specifically compatible with macOS.

The publication added that the never-before-seen ransomware might be a first for lock bit because this band is usually developed in Windows, Linux, and virtual host machines.
According to the researchers, the Mac-specific ransomware appears to target Apple silicon Macs and is listed on the web under the build name locker_Apple_M1_64.
Another older Twitter account called vx underground shows the mention of LockBit ransomware around November 2022. However, MalwareHunterTeam and other researchers note that there seems to be no real sign of locker_Apple_M1_64’s existence until now.

Cybercriminals Focus On Mac Computers

This current account may be the first public announcement that Apple devices are at risk of being affected by ransomware. The research group notes that now that ransomware news is out in the open, Mac computers may be more susceptible to cyberattacks.

LockBit is a well-known and influential gang on the web known by security analysts as a group based in Russia. However, the group leader is believed to be operating outside the United States or China. 9to5 Mac pointed out that the cybercriminal gang is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation allowing others to purchase malicious products for their nefarious deeds.

The group is already known for its custom ransomware extraction tool, StealBIT, and for rapidly updating and preparing its infrastructure to stay up the cybercriminal food chain. Kaspersky’s chief security researcher Dmitry Gallo said in a statement last year. Apple products can only show the strength of this ransomware group.