“Apple has responded to reports of malware targeting its iOS and Mac OS X platforms by blocking the apps in question and has urged users not only use its own app store for downloads,” Dave Neal reports for V3.
“Apple has made the move after security firm Palo Alto Networks warned that a new malware called WireLurker malware was found targeting Apple iOS and Mac software and is infecting systems on a large scale,” Neal reports. “The malware was reaching Apple devices via apps being downloaded to Mac OS X machines from untrusted third-party app stores. The malware was then able to ‘jump’ to iOS devices when they were plugged into the Macs with the malware.”
“Apple said it has now acted to limit the impact of this threat: ‘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,” Neal reports. “‘As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources.'”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Once again, here’s our oft-repeated reminder for Mac users and anyone who’s trying to use any other platform: Do not download and authorize the installation of applications (Trojans) from untrusted sources. No OS can protect users from themselves (or we wouldn’t be able to install any software). Those who grant attackers access to their Macs, should not be surprised to find their Macs are compromised.
Related articles:
WireLurker trojan targeted at non-jailbroken iPhones spreads in China – November 6, 2014
There’s practically no iOS malware, thanks to Apple’s smart control over app distribution – June 13, 2014
F-Secure: Android accounted for 99% of new mobile malware in Q1 2014 – April 30, 2014
Google’s Sundar Pichai: Android not designed to be safe; if I wrote malware, I’d target Android, too – February 27, 2014
Cisco: Android the target of 99 percent of world’s mobile malware – January 17, 2014
U.S. DHS, FBI warn of malware threats to Android mobile devices – August 27, 2013
Android app malware rates skyrocket 40 percent in last quarter – August 7, 2013
First malware found in wild that exploits Android app signing flaw – July 25, 2013
Mobile Threats Report: Android accounts for 92% of all mobile malware – June 26, 2013
Latest self-replicating Android Trojan looks and acts just like Windows malware – June 7, 2013
99.9% of new mobile malware targets Android phones – May 30, 2013