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The malware was first spotted in August 2020 (via The Hacker News) but has only recently been updated to attack M1-equipped MacBook models, along with stealing cryptocurrency information. As for how it works, XCSSET mainly targets Xcode developers. As the researcher points out, it loads malicious Safari frameworks and related JavaScript backdoors. Basically, it imitates packages such as “Safari 14” or icons for Big Sur and infects Xcode projects. While the malware steals a user’s private information on websites, it can also be used to impact cryptocurrency trading platforms by replacing the address in a user’s cryptocurrency wallet with the malicious actors. Security researchers suggest users only “download apps from official and legitimate marketplaces.” Despite macOS Big Sur getting a boost in security, there will always be a new breed of malware for security researchers to deal with. While this hit mainly targets developers, this means there’s a way for malware to slip past to infect more users. This isn’t the first malware to come to M1 MacBook models; we previously reported Apple’s first malware threat to come to the tech giant’s own ARM-based silicon. (H/T Tom’s Hardware)