Technology
Mac and MacBook hit with 'Cuckoo' malware stealing sensitive data
Apple’s macOS is making headlines once again for a new type of malware attack stealing files from its target’s computer.
These files can hold sensitive information, which can then be used to commit further crimes once the perpetrator gets access to them.
If you own an Apple device running macOS on an Intel or ARM silicon chip, here’s what you need to know.
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What we know about the ‘Cuckoo’ malware
The ‘Cuckoo’ malware, as it’s been named by the security provider Kandji, is a new type of malware that meticulously searches for files linked to specific applications on your Mac or MacBook to extract as much data as possible. It is designed to gather a wide array of information, including hardware details, active processes, applications, and more installed on your system.
Additionally, Cuckoo can capture screenshots and access data from various sources, such as sensitive iCloud Keychains, Apple Notes, web browsers and popular communication apps like Discord, Telegram, Steam, and cryptocurrency wallets.
A hacker using a Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How does it work?
Cuckoo is distributed via malicious websites that promote a supposed tool for ripping music from streaming services and converting these into .MP3 files. This tool is offered in free and paid versions, tempting users to download and install it. Once installed, the malware relies on annoying and persistent pop-ups using LaunchAgent, a method used in other malware campaigns like XLoader.
Who is behind Cuckoo?
No one threat actor has taken responsibility for the malware campaign. Still, it’s worth noting that Cuckoo refuses to operate if the device is located in certain countries — like Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Armenia — which could mean it’s coming from a group in one of these countries or operating out of this region as a whole.
However, The Hacker News reported that “each malicious application contains another application bundle within the resource directory,” the researchers said. Translation: A bunch of bad stuff is found wrapped inside another wad of bad stuff.
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A person using a Mac. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How to keep yourself safe from malware attacks
So, how do you keep yourself safe from this malware attack and other threats targeting our technology running macOS? After all, they can be sophisticated and sneaky, making it hard to recognize even when it’s right in front of you. Not to worry, that’s why I’m here. They don’t call me the CyberGuy for nothing. I’ve got you covered. Here are 9 steps to enhance your cybersecurity and safeguard your digital life:
1. Use good antivirus software: Install and maintain reliable antivirus protection tailored for macOS. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Ensure it is set to update automatically and run regular scans. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
2. Don’t get software from strangers: Always download software from reputable and official sources. Avoid downloading applications from third-party websites or links found in unsolicited emails and messages.
3. Check the software maker’s credentials: Before installing any software, check the developer’s credentials and read reviews to ensure their legitimacy. This is particularly important for software that handles sensitive information.
4. Stay fresh. Perform regular updates: Keep your macOS and all installed applications up to date. Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that malware could exploit.
5. Enable firewall: Use macOS’ built-in firewall or a third-party firewall to monitor incoming and outgoing connections. Turning it on can make you safer by helping detect and block malicious activity.
6. Be wary of strange requests: Be cautious about unsolicited requests to access your computer or install software, especially those from pop-ups or unfamiliar emails. The rule I live by is that if you did not ask for it, then never engage or reply. This makes it harder for a criminal hacker to gain access to your life.
7. Use strong passwords and 2FA: Enable two-factor authentication to enhance overall security.
8. Backup your data: Regularly back up important data to an external drive and/or a cloud-based service. This helps ensure that you can recover your data in case of a malware attack. It may also be a good idea to keep any sensitive files on your hard drive as well, to make it harder for the hacker to get their hands on your precious data. I routinely plug in a portable USB drive to my computer, back it important files, photos and records, unplug it and stash in a safe spot at home.
9. Create strong passwords: Use unique passwords for different accounts and consider using a password manager to keep track of them. Who can remember a litany of complicated passwords? That’s why password managers are so effective at helping you store and retrieve passwords.
MORE: HOW CRYPTO IMPOSTERS ARE USING CALENDLY TO INFECT MACS WITH MALWARE
Kurt’s key takeaways
As I’ve mentioned before, one of the selling points of Mac computers is that people tend to believe they are less vulnerable to cyberattacks than Windows PC. But this is clearly not the case, and Mac owners need to be aware of what lies out there in order to stay safe, not just from this particular threat but any new ones that come out faster than they can be patched.
With the rise of more cyberattacks aimed at Mac and MacBook, have you added protection to help keep out the bad guys? Or worse, has one infected you yet? Let me know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
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When Oregon resident Isabelle Reksopuro heard Google was gobbling up public land to fuel its data centers in her home state, she didn’t initially know what to believe. “There’s a lot of misinformation about data centers,” she said. “Google has denied taking that land.”
Technically, she explains, The Dalles, a city near the Washington state border, sought to reclaim that land, “and Google is just a big, unnamed power user.” The city had in fact asked for ownership of a 150-acre portion of Mount Hood National Forest, claiming it needs access to Mount Hood’s watershed to meet municipal needs as its population — 16,010 as of the 2020 census — grows. But critics, including environmentalists, say the city is trying to secure more water for Google, which has a sprawling data center campus in The Dalles that already consumes about one-third of the city’s water supply.
This controversy made Reksopuro curious about the backlash to data centers being built in other communities. So Reksopuro, a student at the University of Washington who studies the connections between tech and public policy, decided to map it out. Using information collected by Epoch AI and data scraped from legislation on data centers, she built an interactive map tracking AI policy around the world. She designed it to be simple enough for anyone to use. “I wanted it to be something that my younger sisters could play through and explore to understand what are the data centers in the area and what’s actually being done about it,” Reksopuro said. She hoped to shift their opinions that way, “instead of like, through TikTok.”
Four times a day, the map searches for new sources and checks them against the existing database Reksopuro built out. “Once it does that, it will write a new summary, add it to the news feed, and populate it on the sidebar,” she said. “I wanted it to be self-updating, since I’m also a student.”
Reksopuro isn’t against data centers, but she thinks tech giants benefit from a lack of transparency around data center policies. “Right now, it’s this really opaque thing — and all of a sudden, there’s a facility,” she said. “I think that if people knew about data centers beforehand, it would give them leverage. They would be able to negotiate: ask for job training programs, tax revenue, environmental monitoring, things to improve their community.”
UCF commencement speaker Gloria Caulfield (University of Central Florida via Storyful)
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IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– UCF graduates clobber commencement speaker with boos after she says AI is the ‘next Industrial Revolution’
– OPINION: DIRECTOR KASH PATEL: We brought the FBI out of the past and into the AI age
– OpenAI backs creation of global AI governance body led by the U.S. that would include China as a member
TOUGH CROWD: During a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Central Florida, a speaker was met with loud boos from the graduating class after declaring that artificial intelligence represents the next industrial revolution. Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI’s growing footprint in daily life.
A statue on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. (iStock)
BADGE MEETS BYTE: Reflecting on the modernization of national security in a Fox News op-ed, FBI Director Kash Patel explores how the bureau must adapt its strategies to address modern threats and advance beyond the artificial intelligence age.
TECH DIPLOMACY: OpenAI is throwing its support behind the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence governance organization that would be led by the United States while notably including China as a member. Fox News Digital reporting examines the geopolitical dynamics and regulatory implications of this proposed framework as global powers race to set the standards for AI development.
EQUITY ELEVATION: The massive wave of wealth generated by the explosive growth of ChatGPT and the broader AI industry is driving a sudden surge in the San Francisco Bay Area’s luxury real estate market. Fox News Digital reporting breaks down how the influx of new tech capital is reshaping local housing dynamics and fueling a high-end property frenzy.
FBI Director Kash Patel listened as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
STRATEGY RESET: Tech giant Cisco is planning to eliminate thousands of jobs as the company shifts its primary focus to accelerate its artificial intelligence initiatives, a move that comes despite the company beating earnings expectations. Fox News Digital reporting details the corporate restructuring and broader economic trends pushing legacy tech firms to aggressively pivot toward AI.
ROAD HAZARD: Waymo is issuing a sweeping recall of its autonomous vehicle fleet following a concerning incident that highlighted significant safety issues with the self-driving technology. Fox News Digital reporting outlines the specifics of the recall, the nature of the safety flaw, and what this setback means for the future of fully autonomous transportation on public roads.
BOTS IN THE BAY: A newly developed, artificial intelligence-powered robot has been engineered to seamlessly change and balance vehicle tires without human intervention. Fox News Digital reporting showcases this latest innovation, exploring how automation and AI mechanics could soon revolutionize the automotive service and repair industry.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the 2026 Infrastructure Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)
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Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.
In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.
Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.
You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.
Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”
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