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http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29928751
Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users
By Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani & Leo Kelion BBC News
6 November 2014 Last updated at 11:25
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.
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.
"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.
The malware initially gets onto an iOS device via a USB link to an infected Mac computer
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.
Apple has issued a brief statement.
"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," it said.
"As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources."
Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users
By Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani & Leo Kelion BBC News
6 November 2014 Last updated at 11:25
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.
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.
"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.
The malware initially gets onto an iOS device via a USB link to an infected Mac computer
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.
Apple has issued a brief statement.
"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," it said.
"As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources."
