This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29928751
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users | Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users |
| (about 1 hour 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. | 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. |
| To minimise the risk of attack, Palo Alto Networks has recommended that users: |