Dissecting MacOS Ransomware: A Comparative Analysis and Mitigation Strategies

Dissecting MacOS Ransomware: A Comparative Analysis and Mitigation Strategies | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Dissecting MacOS Ransomware: A Comparative Analysis and Mitigation Strategies Halina Kowalczyk, Piotr Zieliński, Agnieszka Nowak This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385485/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Ransomware remains an alarming threat in the cybersecurity landscape, presenting complex challenges that demand innovative solutions. As the frequency and sophistication of ransomware attacks increase, understanding the dynamics of these malicious endeavors has become crucial for developing effective defense mechanisms. The comprehensive analysis provided here explores various facets of ransomware activity, particularly its impact on MacOS environments, a less commonly discussed target compared to Windows systems. Through an examination of attack vectors, the study highlights the role of user behavior, system vulnerabilities, and the lack of robust cybersecurity measures as primary facilitators of ransomware breaches. Technical mitigation strategies such as regular software updates, stringent access controls, and advanced threat detection systems are evaluated for their effectiveness in thwarting attacks. Additionally, the research delves into policy measures and best practices that can supplement technical defenses, emphasizing the need for continuous education and strategic response planning. Looking ahead, the study suggests avenues for future research, including the potential of artificial intelligence in predictive threat modeling and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in enhancing collective security postures. These insights not only refine current understandings of ransomware defense but also offer a blueprint for advancing cybersecurity resilience in the face of evolving digital threats. Computer Architecture and Engineering Ransomware MacOS Cybersecurity Threat Detection Policy Measures Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4385485","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":299916450,"identity":"a252e843-1e8d-447e-b613-74024c4c0e6d","order_by":0,"name":"Halina Kowalczyk","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9546-8496","institution":"DigitPolska Sp. z o.o.","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Halina","middleName":"","lastName":"Kowalczyk","suffix":""},{"id":299916451,"identity":"fedbafa2-a47d-4e03-913b-253d491bbe15","order_by":1,"name":"Piotr Zieliński","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"DigitPolska Sp. z o.o.","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Piotr","middleName":"","lastName":"Zieliński","suffix":""},{"id":299916452,"identity":"09243958-383f-4b26-9b88-71432191858b","order_by":2,"name":"Agnieszka Nowak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"DigitPolska Sp. z o.o.","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Agnieszka","middleName":"","lastName":"Nowak","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-05-07 22:54:01","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385485/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385485/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":56131651,"identity":"185dd352-06af-47ff-80d2-17d305c34eae","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-05-09 02:08:52","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":191144,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ransomware.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4385485/v1_covered_aa9ba25c-9caa-423e-bee2-19ed9f3760b2.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eDissecting MacOS Ransomware: A Comparative Analysis and Mitigation Strategies\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Ransomware, MacOS, Cybersecurity, Threat Detection, Policy Measures","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385485/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385485/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eRansomware remains an alarming threat in the cybersecurity landscape, presenting complex challenges that demand innovative solutions. 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