Do you use CoinTicker? If so, you need to uninstall that immediately and take steps to protect yourself. Cybersecurity publications were signaling alarm over cryptocurrency malware on Monday, October 29th, after a Malwarebytes forum user reported CoinTicker for MacOS was nothing more than a Trojan virus.
1vladimir, a forum user, was lauded by Malwarebytes, who confirmed in their blog post that CoinTicker was indeed malicious software. The app supposedly let users track cryptocurrency prices from within the Mac toolbar. Prices would be updated automatically.
“Although this functionality seems to be legitimate, the app is actually up to no good in the background, unbeknownst to the user,” Malwarebytes’ blog post explains, adding: “Without any signs of trouble, such as requests for authentication to root, there’s nothing to suggest to the user that anything is wrong.”
Looking deeper into the CoinTicker, it is clear that the program contains a script that would download 2 backdoors onto the downloaded machine. These 2 exploits could allow a remote party to take control of the device.
The Github repository from which the CoinTicker malware downloaded its exploits has since been deleted, tech magazine Bleeping Computer reports.
According to Bleeping Computer, the app might’ve been developed with the sole and only purpose of distributing the Trojan, exploiting user machines, and wreaking havoc on countless of unsuspecting users.
It is currently unknown as to how many machines or users this malware has infected in the few days since its discovery. However, this should serve as a reminder for cryptocurrency investors to safeguard their investments and to be extra diligent.
Malware continues to pop up in this industry, usually in the form of hidden mining scripts. Earlier this month, Google opted to remove all extensions with obfuscated code, a feature which masks their purpose, from its Web Store in an effort to help combat threats against users and machines.
What do you think? Do you use any apps to track Crypto? Do you keep your coins on an exchange or maybe a cold wallet? We had discussed how Sony plans on introducing a new cryptocurrency hardware wallet. What do you do to keep yourself safe? Let us know on our Facebook Page!
