Critical Apple's Mac And iPhone Security Warning Issued

Key Points

• Analysis by Jamf reveals alarming lack of readiness among Mac and iPhone users against cyber threats.
• Research identifies 300 malware families targeting macOS, with 21 new threats emerging in 2023.
• Critical security warning highlights the urgent need for improved cyber hygiene among Apple device users.

Researchers at Apple security and management specialists Jamf have published a new analysis that reveals why so many users are ill-equipped to combat the latest cyber threats impacting Macs and iPhones. By examining real-world user data, the Jamf researchers have analyzed the evolving Apple threat landscape and have issued a critical security warning involving three actions that are leaving users open to attack. Correcting them could make a critical difference to your security and privacy.

Cyber Hygiene Is Abysmal And Leaves Threat Actors Ready To Strike

By analyzing data from a total of 15 million desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones in 90 countries, the Jamf researchers made some startling discoveries regarding Apple devices specifically. The research, which covered 12 months ending in the last quarter of 2023, determined that of a total of 300 malware families that exist on the macOS platform, 21 were new in 2023. Interestingly, given recent reporting regarding Trojans on Apple devices, this type of malware threat only accounted for 17% of all instances. The research also resulted in Jamf stating that “organizations’ cyber hygiene is abysmal and threat actors are ready to strike with the most sophisticated attacks yet.”

“The data in our report shows that Mac and mobile fleets have fared reasonably well over the past 12-months,” Michael Covington, vice president of portfolio strategy at Jamf, says, “but that result is largely due to sheer luck; with a growing list of malicious tactics emerging and with organizations demonstrating poor security hygiene overall, the year ahead is likely to be bad for business if trends do not change.” This is where the critical warning for Mac and iPhone users comes in, with Apple-specific security features being the center of attention.

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