Bitcoin-Stealing OS X Trojan Now Masquerading as 'Angry Birds' and Other Popular Mac Apps

bitcoin.pngA Bitcoin-stealing trojan has been detected in downloads claiming to be cracked versions of popular Mac applications, reports security firm ESET through its We Live Security blog. The OSX/CoinThief.A malware was discovered in popular Bitcoin software earlier this month by SecureMac, but is now being used to target users of more mainstream apps.

The trojan initially surfaced on open source software hosting site GitHub, and it was quickly bundled into several Bitcoin apps available through multiple download sites. Further investigation by ESET has now uncovered the trojan masquerading as cracked versions of popular Mac apps such as BBEdit, Pixelmator, Angry Birds, and Delicious Library.

OSX/CoinThief.A involves a malicious browser add-on used to intercept logins for Bitcoin wallet sites and related exchanges such as MtGox, BTC-e, and blockchain.info. Stolen login credentials are then forwarded to the malware's developer.

There is clearly strong evidence that the trojan was specifically designed to profit from the current Bitcoin craze and fluctuating exchange rates.

According to detection statistics gathered by the ESET LiveGrid, the threat is mostly active amongst Mac users based in the United States.

The websites where these files are being distributed from have not been revealed, but Mac owners can prevent infection by avoiding pirated software and downloading titles directly from the developer's website or the Mac App Store. Users can find instructions on how to check for and remove the malware on SecureMac's blog post.

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...

Top Rated Comments

satcomer Avatar
143 months ago
Pirated software users are surprised that some of these cracked software might be Trojan carriers?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JetBlack7 Avatar
143 months ago
Joke's on them, I own 0 bitcoins.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dustinsc Avatar
143 months ago
Downloading cracked apps is like eating out of a garbage bin. Sure, you might find something that looks tasty in there, but even if it looks good it will still probably get you sick.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tuartboy Avatar
143 months ago
This is why code signing and Gatekeeper exist.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
143 months ago
Only in cracked versions = no problem.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WallToWallMacs Avatar
143 months ago
Seems to be a catch22 for Apple. The more successful and ubiquitous it becomes, the more it will be targeted by the nefarious. All the more so because of the statistical affluence of the user base. That's a shame.

How is it a catch 22 for Apple when there are idiots going out to download pirated software because they're too bloody cheap to purchase a legitimate copy via the AppStore? That's like blaming Microsoft for some person downloading Creative Suite off a bittorrenting website then complaining that all their credit card information has been stolen and its apparently all Microsoft's fault.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)