Tech
Everything you need to know about the malware stealing data from Mac users
Mac users have a new malware threat to be on the watch out for.
According to a new report by Malwarebytes, Infiniti Stealer is a new malware attack targeting Mac users that utilizes social engineering tactics and, once the payload is delivered to the device, is very difficult to detect.
Infiniti Stealer
The hacker's campaign, according to the report, begins with a social engineering technique known as ClickFix. ClickFix is a tactic that tricks the target themself into executing malicious code on their computer.
The targeted user is presented with a website, often through a phishing email or a pop-up on a compromised page, with an urgent update warning that claims to require the user to complete a Cloudflare human verification captcha.
The target is presented with a traditional "I am not a robot" box to check. However, the target is also asked to complete a "manual step." The page instructs the user to go to Spotlight on their Mac and search for the Terminal app. They are then instructed to paste a provided code into Terminal and hit return.
This code delivers Infiniti Stealer to the target's Mac.
"Because the user runs the command directly, many traditional defenses are bypassed," Malwarebytes says in its report. "There’s no exploit, no malicious attachment, and no drive‑by download."
According to Malwaybytes, the malware that's delivered to the victim's Mac is written in Python but compiled with Nuitka, which creates a native macOS binary. This makes Infiniti Stealer much more difficult to analyze and detect than the more typical type of malware.
"To our knowledge, this is the first documented macOS campaign combining ClickFix delivery with a Nuitka-compiled Python stealer," Malwarebytes says.
Once Infiniti Stealer is installed on a device, it will attempt to steal data from the victim's Mac and upload that information to the attacker's own server. Passwords, screenshots, browser data like cookies, and other sensitive information can be stolen from victims in these types of malware attacks.
Be aware of malware threats
Users should always be careful when following instructions from a website that they are unfamiliar with. Even then, users should be careful they are on a legitimate website of a company they do recognize and not a phishing website run by a bad actor.
Users should be aware that there is no form of captcha or verification that requires code to be entered in the Terminal app.
Furthermore, I typically recommend that anyone who isn't somewhat familiar with code to avoid any process that requires entering code in their Mac's Terminal.
If a user believes they may have been infected with malware, Malwarebytes recommends that they stop using the affected computer. They should change their account passwords on a completely separate device and, if possible, revoke access from the infected computer.
Infiniti Stealer appears to follow a new trend of bad actors targeting Apple devices due to the incorrect perception that they are immune from viruses and other types of attacks. DarkSword, for example, is another new threat targeting iPhones and other iOS devices with a malware attack that doesn't even require a user to download any sort of malicious file.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you believe in magic.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: While you were sleeping…
The words are related to a mythical creature.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained
These words describe a children's tradition.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?
Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer today
Today's spangram is Tooth Fairy.
NYT Strands word list for March 31
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Wings
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Exchange
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Tutu
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Wand
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Coin
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Note
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Pillow
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Tooth Fairy
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you live in the south.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:
Muddy waters.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is…
SWAMP
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
SAVE $12: As of March 30, get the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger for $27.99, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's a discount of 30% and the lowest price we've seen.
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The Amazon Big Spring Sale is chock-full of gadgets to shop while the event powers on for another day. If you haven't picked anything out just yet, now might be the day — especially if you've been looking for a charger. To make sure you're able to juice up your devices when you need to the most, check out this can't-miss sale on one of Anker's smallest options.
As of March 30, get the Anker Nano 45W Smart Display Charger for $27.99, down from its usual price of $39.99. That's $12 off and a discount of 30%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.
This charger supports series 15, 16, and 17 iPhones and select iPad models. It offers 45W of fast charging while adjusting its output based on your phone's battery level remaining.
It has a special display that you can tap to switch between different charging modes, and you can rotate it to better suit your viewing angle. Even with all that, it's in a tiny form factor, with dual foldable prongs that you can keep out of the way for storage. It's 47 percent smaller and 36 percent lighter than Anker's 30W charger to boot.
Grab yours while it's still available, because everyone needs a reliable way to get their devices back up to speed.
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