The new malware threat known as iWorm is now slithering across Mac OS machines and to date has plagued almost 18000 Mac users around the world, with more than 4000 of those in the US. This malware threat is now being used by hackers to take control of every Apple computer system across the globe and that action has been instigated by a seemingly innocent stunt— making use of community website Reddit.

A famous anti-virus Russian software known as DR Web discovered the Apple-targeting hazard. With Reddit's search functionality, the iWorm traces comments and posts under a thread for Minecraft which was authored by the hackers in order to access server addresses stated within that thread to gain access to. Although the discussion was removed, hackers still managed to set up alternate server files. The iWorm then successfully creates a connection to these designated servers. And it will only take some quick tweaking within the host systems for hackers to commence horrible and damaging acts.

When iWorm is installed and gets to penetrate a Mac computer, hackers will be able to set off commands using a 'botnet' so that they can send out spam messages, gather and remove user data and basically control a remote Mac computer in the comfort of their hideouts. The threat can also download files, send a GET query and even put your computer to sleep by itself, whether you like it or not.

If you are worried about your computer being infected by the iWorm, here's how you can check. From the OS X Finder tab, locate Go to Folder. Type in /Library/Application Support/JavaW. Anyone who does not find the file is safe from the threat. But for those who do find it, do not wait too long and launch your anti-virus readily to remove it from your system.