Security Bite Podcast: The evolution of macOS threat hunting with Jaron Bradley

The 9to5Mac Security Bite podcast recently featured a conversation with Jaron Bradley, Director at Jamf Threat Labs and author of "Threat Hunting macOS: Mastering Endpoint Security." This episode provides a crucial retrospective on the evolution of Apple security over the past decade, while also offering a pragmatic look at the current threat landscape and what's on the horizon for 2026.

The Infostealer Epidemic

One of the central themes of the discussion is the historic breakout of infostealer malware as one of the most popular and persistent forms of malware targeting macOS users. Unlike the flashy, disruptive ransomware or destructive wipers that dominated headlines in the past, infostealers operate with a quieter, more insidious efficiency. Their goal is not to cripple a system but to silently exfiltrate valuable data—passwords, cookies, credit card information, cryptocurrency wallet keys, and authentication tokens.

The evolution here is significant. Early macOS malware often relied on exploiting obvious vulnerabilities or tricking users with fake installers. Modern infostealers, however, have become sophisticated in their distribution methods. They leverage social engineering, malvertising, and even compromised legitimate software to gain a foothold. Once installed, they often use legitimate system tools and processes to blend in, making detection by traditional signature-based antivirus solutions increasingly difficult.

This shift reflects a broader trend in cybercrime: the monetization of data over disruption. For an attacker, a stolen browser session or a set of banking credentials can be more valuable than a locked file. This makes the threat more personal and pervasive for the average user, who may not realize their data has been compromised until it's used for fraud or sold on dark web marketplaces.

AI: The New Battlefield

The conversation with Jaron Bradley delves into a topic that is rapidly reshaping both offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies: Artificial Intelligence. The use of AI by attackers is no longer theoretical; it's a practical reality. Attackers are employing AI to:

• Generate more convincing phishing emails and messages: AI can craft personalized, context-aware communications that are far more likely to deceive a target than generic spam.
• Automate reconnaissance: AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify potential targets and vulnerabilities at a scale impossible for humans.
• Develop polymorphic malware: AI can help create malware that subtly changes its code signature with each iteration, evading static detection mechanisms.

However, the story isn't one-sided. Defenders, including security researchers like those at Jamf and Mosyle, are also harnessing AI's power. The article mentions that Mosyle identified one of the first known AI-assisted Mac malware threats, highlighting the importance of AI-powered security platforms. These systems use machine learning to establish behavioral baselines for devices and users. When an anomaly occurs—such as a process accessing sensitive files it shouldn't, or a sudden spike in network traffic—AI can flag it for investigation much faster than a human analyst could.

This creates a new kind of arms race. As attackers use AI to become more adaptive, defenders must use AI to become more predictive. The key for developers and IT professionals is to understand that AI is not a silver bullet but a tool. Its effectiveness depends entirely on the data it's trained on and the context in which it's applied.

A Pragmatic Threat Outlook for 2026

Jaron Bradley's 2026 threat outlook, as discussed in the podcast, is grounded in the current trajectory of these trends. For developers and IT managers, the outlook suggests several key considerations:

1. Continued Dominance of Infostealers: Expect infostealer campaigns to become more targeted and sophisticated. The focus will be on credential harvesting, especially for cloud services and development environments. Developers need to be vigilant about the tools and libraries they use, as supply chain attacks remain a viable vector for delivering malicious payloads.

2. AI-Powered Attacks on Development Pipelines: Attackers may use AI to identify vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies or to craft exploits for known CVEs at an accelerated pace. This underscores the critical importance of maintaining a robust Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and implementing automated dependency scanning in CI/CD pipelines.

3. The Blurring Line Between Legitimate and Malicious Tools: As attackers use legitimate system utilities and scripting languages (like Python, Bash, or AppleScript) for post-exploitation activities, traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions must evolve. Behavioral analysis becomes paramount. For developers, this means understanding the normal behavior of their applications and the systems they run on, to better identify anomalous activity.

4. Cross-Platform Considerations: While the focus is on macOS, the principles of threat hunting and defense are increasingly cross-platform. The tools and techniques used to secure macOS fleets in an enterprise environment often overlap with those used for iOS and other operating systems. Understanding the macOS threat landscape provides valuable insights into broader mobile and desktop security challenges.

Resources for the Practitioner

For those looking to deepen their understanding of macOS threat hunting, Jaron Bradley's book, Threat Hunting macOS: Mastering Endpoint Security, is a key resource. It moves beyond theoretical concepts and provides practical methodologies for detecting and responding to threats on Apple platforms. The book covers everything from understanding the macOS file system and process hierarchy to analyzing network traffic and memory forensics.

The podcast itself is a valuable listen for anyone managing Apple devices, whether in a personal or enterprise context. It bridges the gap between high-level security news and actionable technical knowledge. The full episode is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The Developer's Role in Security

This discussion underscores a critical reality for iOS and Android developers: security is not solely the domain of a dedicated security team. It is an integral part of the development lifecycle. As threats evolve, so must development practices.

• Secure Coding Practices: Developers must be trained in secure coding standards to prevent common vulnerabilities like buffer overflows, injection attacks, and improper authentication.
• Dependency Management: Vigilantly monitoring and updating third-party libraries is essential. Tools like GitHub's Dependabot or Snyk can automate this process, but developer awareness is the first line of defense.
• Threat Modeling: Before writing a line of code, developers should consider how an attacker might target their application. This proactive approach can identify potential weaknesses early in the design phase.
• Collaboration with Security Teams: Developers should work closely with security professionals to understand the threat landscape and implement appropriate controls. This collaboration is especially important in cross-platform development, where security models can differ between iOS and Android.

The evolution of macOS threat hunting, as outlined by Jaron Bradley, is a microcosm of the broader cybersecurity landscape. It highlights the shift from reactive to proactive defense, the increasing sophistication of attackers, and the pivotal role of emerging technologies like AI. For developers and IT professionals, staying informed through resources like the Security Bite podcast and continuously updating their skills is not just recommended—it's essential for maintaining the security and integrity of the systems they build and manage.