Mac OS X malware opens up a backdoor via Tor

The low userbase has made the Mac a less diserable target for malware makers than Windows PCs, but this doesn't mean that you can worry-free roam the web without getting a nasty infection. Security researchers from Bitdefender just discovered "Backdoor.MAC.Elanor", a nasty piece of Mac malware that hides in a fake document converting app called Easydoc Convertor.

The bad news is that this tool was available on several reputable download websites, but the good news is that it was not signed by an Apple Developer ID, so as long as your Mac is set to only open apps from the Mac App Store or known developers, there is no risk of infection.

In case of infection, the malware installs a hidden Tor service, a PHP server, and a Pastebin agent. In other words, it opens up a backdoor that gives an attacker full control over your PC.

This type of malware is particularly dangerous as it’s hard to detect and offers the attacker full control of the compromised system. For instance, someone can lock you out of your laptop, threaten to blackmail you to restore your private files or transform your laptop into a botnet to attack other devices. The possibilities are endless.

Further details can be found at 9to5Mac.