A new virus has been discovered that targets Apple devices to steal and mine cryptocurrencies stored on the device. The virus also uses critical information stored on the device to steal cryptocurrencies stored elsewhere.
Researchers have given the virus the title of ‘CookieMiner’ and have determined that the virus intercepts browser cookies to gain information related to crypto exchanges and other such service providing websites visited by the victims.
This particular virus has been found to attack many large exchange firms including Coinbase, Binance and many others that contained the word blockchain in their domain title.
Moreover, the malware also steals information about the credit cards stored on the device and data regarding many other websites where the device owner may be logged in. In case it is successful in stealing enough information the virus then gains access to the crypto wallets belonging to the user and can, therefore, steal funds.
Moreover, the virus turns the victim’s device into a mining unit by modifying the device configuration. This is similar to another malware that uses the victim’s device to mine Monero. However, CookieMiner mines a lesser known cryptocurrency called Koto.
This demands crypto investors and enthusiasts to keep a keen eye on their funds as well as device security to make sure that their assets and other such information remain the same. Moreover, it was determined that the malware exits the device as soon as it detects the presence of the program known as Little Snitch.
In 2018 the number of such malware targetting cryptocurrencies has increased exponentially since there were less than 500,000 in 2017 and more than 4 million in 2018.
