Overview

Apple’s macOS has long been perceived as a nearly malware-free environment. However, with macOS experiencing a remarkable 60% market share increase in just three years, cybercriminals have shifted their focus, leading to a 100% surge in macOS malware specimens in 2023 alone (source: Objective-See). Despite this escalating threat, 57% of Mac users (source: Moonlock’s Mac Security Survey) either agree or are unsure about the statement that “Malware does not exist on macOS.” This dangerous misconception leaves millions of users vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Launched in July 2023, Moonlock, a cybersecurity wing of MacPaw, creates B2C cybersecurity software for macOS. Its research arm, Moonlock Lab, focuses on finding and analyzing macOS malware while studying the tactics of cybercriminals. Beyond that, Moonlock Lab’s mission is to protect macOS users by openly sharing its findings and collaborating with the cybersecurity community.

In 2024, by consistently publishing and sharing undetected malware intelligence, Moonlock Lab earned recognition from leading macOS security researchers and conferences. Its findings were shared, quoted, and discussed widely, establishing Moonlock as an invaluable resource for macOS cybersecurity.

Some key achievements in 2024:
1. Publishing 21 in-depth analyses of new macOS threats on X, achieving an organic reach of 162,281 and receiving 334 shares and quotes from industry leaders like Patrick Wardle of Objective-See
2. Featuring in 131 global media publications, including TechRadar, CSO Online, TheHackerNews, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider, Cybernews, MacWorld, Risky Business, TL;DR Infosec, Cointelegraph, expanding awareness of macOS threats to an even broader audience.
3. Moonlock Lab was invited to talk at global cybersecurity conferences, further capturing the attention of security experts:
– Kseniia Yamburh spoke at the Virus Bulletin Conference and the RSAC Webcast
– Co-hosting the #OFTW event with Objective-See
– Ivan Petrukha presented research at the STAST Science Conference in Austria