First ransomware detected on Apple devices

A virus that locks users out of their computer until a ransom is paid has been discovered on Apple devices for the first time.

The rogue software, called KeRanger, has infected a number of Mac computers. It renders files inaccessible. It then demands payment of one bitcoin — the virtual currency and worth €360 — to return control of the files.

Security researchers from Palo Alto Networks first reported the virus, which is known as ransomware. They believe it to be the “first fully functional ransomware seen on the OS X platform”, on which Apple laptop and desktop products run.