High
A new data wiper and info-stealer called ThiefQuest is using ransomware as a decoy to steal files from macOS users. ThiefQuest includes the capability to check if it’s running in a virtual machine. It also checks for some common security tools and antimalware solutions and opens a reverse shell used for communication with its command-and-control (C2) server. Once the malware has been deployed, it starts encrypting certain types of files found on the system, including archives, images, audio and video files, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and web files.
Researchers have pointed out that all victims are provided the same Bitcoin address for paying the ransom and the ransom note does not include an email address or other information for contacting the attacker.
File encryption