Apple Devices at Risk of Fresh Malware, says Researchers

Security researchers from Palo Alto Networks have discovered one virus which they liken to a most enormous scale malware never observed earlier as it threatens Apple devices, published dailymail.co.uk dated November 6, 2014.

The virus has been named WireLurker since it proliferates to iOS from OS X PCs it infects as soon as a connection is established between the mobile gadget and a Mac computer through an USB.

The malicious software uses several techniques for leveraging its threat onto any iOS gadget. Its code structure is complicated even as it exhibits many component versions, customized encryption, code obfuscation and file hiding for aborting anti-reversing.

According to Intelligence Director Ryan Olson with Palo Alto Networks, WireLurker is different from any malware affecting Apple iOS as well as OS X thus far. From the methodologies it employs, it's clear that there's increasing sophistication of the con artists abusing the globally best-recognized mobile or desktop programs, says Olson. Scmagazineuk.com reported this, November 6, 2014.

And though malicious software created for attacking Apple devices isn't so widely-prevalent like Windows malware, still the iOS or OS X programs aren't anything cyber-criminals are overlooking. One ideal instance is the lately exposed worm called Mac.BackDoor.iWorm that reportedly contaminated thousands of computers having active OS X of Mac.

Moreover, according to Palo Alto, compared to any malware spread via repackaged/Trojanized OS X platforms, the new WireLurker represents one spreading at the largest ever observed scale. It's as well that malware first known as automatically generating malevolent iOS applications based on binary file substitution while foremost known as contaminating iOS programs just like any conventional virus.

Claud Xiao Chief Researcher at Palo Alto Networks says that WireLurker is undergoing rapid evolution while it isn't yet clear what its creators want to achieve eventually.

The security company notes that WireLurker assaults are mostly in China as also just now affect Chinese end-users ever since the malware's origination is linked to one Chinese intermediate application shop- Maiyadi.

The problem, as per Apple, is already resolved; however, independently-working infosec pundits think there's still much for the company to do even as the threat doesn't just impact China.

» SPAMfighter News - 11/13/2014