Backdoor.MAC.Elanor is the name of a new extremely dangerous malware for the OS X platform, it was recently discovered by computer security researchers, they recommend users to be very careful what they download from the Internet because it could infect their Mac the
Discovered by Bitdefender, Backdoor.MAC.Elanor is hidden in an application called EasyDoc Converter.app, it appears to allow document conversion, but in reality it does nothing but download a script that installs a malware in the OS X, this taking full control over the computer.
The infected application is distributed through many reliable websites that facilitate the downloading of applications for Mac, and those from Bitdefender claim that there are no limits to what this malware can do, as it can control the Mac exactly like an ordinary user.
Once installed in the Mac, Backdoor.MAC.Elanor can access and transfer any kind of data without the user knowing, and if the hacker wants this, he can even block access to the data, encrypt it and demand the payment of a sum of money for their recovery, something that many users fear.
The backdoor is embedded in a fake file converter application that is accessible online on reputable sites offering Mac applications and software. The EasyDoc Converter.app poses as a drag-and-drop file converter, but has no real functionality – it simply downloads a malicious script. This is a nasty backdoor that can steal data, execute remote code and access the webcam, among other things...
The only good part about Backdoor.MAC.Elanor is that the application is not signed with a developer account, so its installation is practically not possible if the Gatekeeper system is active, as it comes after installing OS X, in this situation only disabling Gatekeeper allowing installation.
This type of malware is particularly dangerous as it is 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.
