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Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users | Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users |
(about 4 hours later) | |
New malware targeting Apple products is mostly affecting Chinese users, warned an online security researcher. | New malware targeting Apple products is mostly affecting Chinese users, warned an online security researcher. |
US-based Palo Alto Networks said "WireLurker" which is infecting Apple's desktop and mobile operating systems appears to have originated in China and is mostly infecting devices there. | |
The malware spreads through apps uploaded from a third-party store and can steal information. | The malware spreads through apps uploaded from a third-party store and can steal information. |
More than 400 infected apps have been downloaded over 350,000 times, it said. | More than 400 infected apps have been downloaded over 350,000 times, it said. |
"WireLurker is unlike anything we've ever seen in terms of Apple iOS and OS X malware," said Ryan Olson, the company's intelligence director. | "WireLurker is unlike anything we've ever seen in terms of Apple iOS and OS X malware," said Ryan Olson, the company's intelligence director. |
"The techniques in use suggest that bad actors are getting more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting some of the world's best-known desktop and mobile platforms." | "The techniques in use suggest that bad actors are getting more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting some of the world's best-known desktop and mobile platforms." |
WireLurker has the ability to transfer from Apple's Mac computer to mobile devices through a USB cable. | WireLurker has the ability to transfer from Apple's Mac computer to mobile devices through a USB cable. |
The security firm said the malware was capable of stealing "a variety of information" from mobile devices it infects and regularly requested updates from the attackers' control server. | The security firm said the malware was capable of stealing "a variety of information" from mobile devices it infects and regularly requested updates from the attackers' control server. |
"This malware is under active development and its creator's ultimate goal is not yet clear," the company added. | "This malware is under active development and its creator's ultimate goal is not yet clear," the company added. |
Under attack | Under attack |
News of the attack comes after tech giant Apple's iCloud storage service in China was attacked by hackers trying to steal user information just last month. | News of the attack comes after tech giant Apple's iCloud storage service in China was attacked by hackers trying to steal user information just last month. |
Chinese web monitoring group Greatfire.org said that hackers intercepted data and potentially gained access to passwords, messages, photos and contacts. They believed the Beijing government was behind the move. | Chinese web monitoring group Greatfire.org said that hackers intercepted data and potentially gained access to passwords, messages, photos and contacts. They believed the Beijing government was behind the move. |
But, the Chinese government denied the claims and was backed by state-owned internet provider China Telecom, which said the accusation was "untrue and unfounded". | But, the Chinese government denied the claims and was backed by state-owned internet provider China Telecom, which said the accusation was "untrue and unfounded". |
China is home to the world's biggest smartphone market and Apple saw its iPhone sales there jump 50% in the April to June quarter from a year earlier. | China is home to the world's biggest smartphone market and Apple saw its iPhone sales there jump 50% in the April to June quarter from a year earlier. |