MacOS + IOS + Crypto + Security = ? | Top 10 security tips for Apple Device users by Officer_CIA
@officer_cia
In my favorite chat room recently I was asked, in light of recent events, would it be safer to use MacOS & IOS for work? Is it true that they have better security? I don't have a definite answer here - both yes and no. Let's get to the bottom of it!
First of all, There are a lot of malware for MacOS or IOS, the thing is that exploits 0days or 1day for MacOS or IOS costs slightly more in than Windows or Android. There is no difference, just a difference in the price of preparation and in the price of different exploits (including file gluing exploits or delivery exploits - they always cost more), I suggest you go to Zerodium and see the prices.
In general, the toolkit is more or less the same so don't assume that MacOS is more secure. Again, it is based on FreeBSD. In other words, know who is working against you and what they are capable of. In other words, the chances of getting into a massive attack are less, but the chances of being hacked by someone who is not sorry to spend 5-10 thousand dollars to prepare for your hack are equal on all devices and almost all operating systems.
Hackers also care about economics, profit and cost. If they are confident they can take the risk. Keep that in mind. Use Qubes OS, Whonix, Tails or Graphene OS (which is way better then closed and thus unable to estimate risks IOS. Jailbreaking a device makes everything even worse) but some of them require a lot of preparation work and do not have out of the box security!
But. Any secure OS can't help you, if you don't care about simple security rules - keep that in mind. See my original Twitter thread!
Top 10 Security Tips for Apple device owners:
1 - Keep in mind that in most ways, hackers when dealing with Apple device will try to target non-obvious sources like: ICloud cloud backup, Google cloud Backup!
2 - Be aware that Apple Care can get a TeamViewer function, you need only a 1 click to loose all your data:
3 - Disable predictive text on your device!
- reddit.com/r/CryptoCurrency/comments/ubv81z/psa_my_phone_just_guessed_my_private_key_if_you
- www.macworld.com/article/672173/how-to-remove-words-from-iphone-predictive-text.html
4 - Never scan QR codes via your working IPhone!
- tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/iphone-user-beware-of-fake-qr-codes-71651747604570.html
- securityaffairs.co/wordpress/70739/hacking/qr-code-ios-bug.html
5 - Read my OpSec roadmap to avoid such situations, never download files on your working machine. You should understand all 25 rules!
6 - Use dangerzone.rocks if you are working with PDFs!
- How to store crypto securely - tips from CIA_Officer
- 2 Violent attack vectors in Crypto: a detailed review
- OpSec in Crypto: Thoughts
7 - Protect from Sim-Swappig!
- trustwallet.com/blog/what-is-sim-swap-and-how-can-you-protect
- nitter.net/officer_cia/status/1538203687482380288
8 - Keep up with the latest security news!
- cryptopotato.com/iphone-crypto-users-at-risk-from-multiple-vulnerability-attacks-on-the-ios-mail-app/
- thehackernews.com/2022/03/cryptorom-crypto-scam-abusing-iphone.html
- bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-06/apple-launches-iphone-security-tool-to-block-targeted-attacks
- bleepingcomputer.com/news/apple/apple-fixes-new-zero-day-exploited-to-hack-macos-ios-devices
- bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/roaming-mantis-hits-android-and-ios-users-in-malware-phishing-attacks/
9 - Be aware of Crypto Clipper which attacks a clipboard!
10 - Be aware of Physical attacks!
A small selection of dangers for MacOS, IOS, Linux users & important security tips :
Attacks on MacOS compilation:
- appleinsider.com/articles/22/07/20/new-cloudmensis-malware-uses-cloud-storage-to-spy-on-mac-users/amp/
- threatpost.com/stealthy-macos-malware-lazarus-apt/150881
- www.techradar.com/uk/news/apple-m1-macs-are-already-being-targeted-by-crypto-stealing-malware
- hackernoon.com/what-are-the-most-common-malware-attacks-on-macs
Linux Attack:
• www.intezer.com/blog/research/lightning-framework-new-linux-threat
Wi-Fi Security when holding Crypto assets. Special.
- Read this article: www.ledger.com/academy/security/hack
- Go through this awesome list: github.com/edelahozuah/awesome-wifi-security
- Test: github.com/techge/wifi-arsenal
- If you are an IoT device owner, then carefully read: github.com/nebgnahz/awesome-iot-hacks
- BGP Hacking: www.theverge.com/2018/4/24/17275982/myetherwallet-hack-bgp-dns-hijacking-stolen-ethereum
- Microtik security: www.itdave.nl/mikrotik-router-seurity-hardening
- Check out: github.com/decalage2/awesome-security-hardening
- Read
Follow these guides:
- github.com/undergroundwires/privacy.sexy
- github.com/drduh/macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide
- github.com/decalage2/awesome-security-hardening
- docs.google.com/document/d/1-_0Wlwch_vtkPM4F-SdEXLjQYaYT7KoPlU2rjt7tkLQ/mobilebasic
Read my articles 🙂
- Key principles of storing crypto, cold wallet security
- 2 violent attack vectors in Crypto: a closer look
- A CIA Agent’s Guide to Steganography, Fooling the KGB, and Protecting Your Crypto
- OpSec in Crypto & Web3.0: Thoughts
- A View on OpSec Through the Prism of Time
- All known smart contract-side and user-side attacks and vulnerabilities in Web3.0, DeFi, NFT and Metaverse
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