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WireLurker is iOS's first major security threat

By Kenny Yeo - on 6 Nov 2014, 10:33am

WireLurker is iOS's first major security threat

Researchers at Palo Alto Networks have uncovered a new malware threat affecting Macs and iOS devices called WireLurker. And according to them, WireLurker has been affecting Macs and iOS devices for the past six or so months.

WireLurker is particularly devious because it is able to attack non-jailbroken iOS devices through a process called "enterprise provisioning". The malware actually originates from Mai Ya Di (麦芽地), a third-party Mac app store in China. Researchers say that some 467 apps on Mai Ya Di are infected with WireLurker. Once an unknowning user downloads the app, the malware can strike at any iOS device automatically that is hooked up via USB to the affected Mac. Additionally, these apps have been downloaded over 350,000 times so WireLurker is likely to have affected hundreds of thousands of users.

WireLurker can steal information like your contacts and the contents of iMessages, but its ultimate goal is still unclear at this moment. Fortunately, the damage has been limited to mostly just users in China.

To avoid WireLurker, never download and run apps downloaded from untrusted sources. Additionally, do not jailbreak your phone and charge them using untrusted or unknown computers or charging points.

Source: Macrumors

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