Apple macOS users are vulnerable to a new "major scale" malware that spreads via an infected email

Apple macOS users have traditionally been safe from malware, relatively speaking, anyway. Some of that safety can be attributed to the inherent security features of the Unix core of the OS, but some of it can also be attributed to the relatively low penetration of macOS in the PC space.

As macOS grows in popularity, however, more and more malware appears to be targeting the platform.

Engadget reports that researches at Check Point have discovered a malware called Dok, a “major scale” trojan that is targeting macOS users via phishing emails.

An email tries to trick you into downloading a zip file which, if launched, gives hackers access to your system, this includes the ability to monitor and meddle with your internet traffic.

It’s a little difficult to accidentally enable Dok as you have to first download the infected file (usually called Dokument.zip) and run it. It then throws up a message saying that the file was corrupted and it can’t be opened. The program will then run in the background, tell you that there’s a Mac software update and give you an option to “Update All” and then enter your password to allow this to happen.

You’ll have to be exceptionally inattentive for this to happen, but it can happen.

Just in case you’re infected, you can find detailed instructions for the removal of this malware from here.