Apple has acted quickly to address a malware threat to iOS and Mac OS X computers, saying Thursday it has blocked apps from running that are infected with the WireLurker malicious code.
A day earlier, security vendor Palo Alto Networks revealed a campaign in which hackers were transferring malware to Apple devices through infected desktop applications downloaded from a Chinese marketplace.
The attack was a novel one in that it compromised iOS devices that had not been jailbroken, or altered to remove the restrictions that prevent people from downloading apps outside of the thoroughly vetted App Store.
About 467 Mac desktop applications were found to be infected with WireLurker at an app store for Chinese users called Maiyadi. The malware waits until an iOS device is connected to the desktop via USB, then uses one of a two methods to infect the mobile device. WireLurker can then steal data from the device, such as phone logs.
Apple didn’t say exactly what steps it has taken to stop the attack, but said “we are aware of malicious software available from a download site aimed at users in China, and we’ve blocked the identified apps to prevent them from launching.”
The company reiterated its longstanding advice to download software only from trusted sources.
IDG News Service
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers