Hackers Exploit macOS Screen Sharing Flaw to Mine Cryptocurrency

A security flaw in Apple's macOS Screen Sharing feature has been actively exploited by cybercriminals to take control of internet-connected Mac computers, using their processing power to mine Monero, a privacy-focused cryptocurrency. The attacks were confirmed by the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre in an updated security bulletin published on August 12.

Cryptomining attacks like this often go unnoticed for extended periods, as the main symptoms are a slower computer, higher electricity use, and increased fan noise — easy to dismiss as normal wear and tear. However, the same access used for mining could potentially be leveraged for more damaging purposes, such as data theft, making this more than just a performance issue.

Australian small businesses using Mac computers, particularly those with remote access or screen sharing features enabled, should check for the latest macOS security updates and ensure this functionality is disabled unless actively required.