A new malware 'WireLurker' hits Apple devices

Dec. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- A new malware ‘WireLurker’ has been introduced by the researchers who’s main intension is to target Apple’s iOS operating system and OSX for Macs that spreads through USB. This malware targets both Mac computers as well as phones and tablets running iOS when they are connected with USB cable. It is first known malware family which can infect installed iOS applications which are similar to the traditional virus.

The malware includes a number of techniques to successfully ‘realize a new brand of threat to all iOS devices’. WireLurker has the capability steal information from the device it infects.

The malware “WireLurker” can install malicious third-party applications to an iOS device through an infected Mac by using a USB connection. At present, the iOS component of WireLurker is spread through an infected Mac OSX computer through USB and the malware seems to be distributed in most of the parts of China via well-known Apple-related software website “Maiyadi”.

The malware initiates in apps from the Maiyadi App Store in China. Some of the apps sold at the site are not approved by Apple and have not been examined as safe.

The malware was first detected on June 1 at China. This discovery is important for the people all around the world because Apple devices have been considered as safe from the viruses and malware.

It has been declared by the statistics as of October 16 that 467 malicious apps had been downloaded 356,104 times, with almost half of the total number of downloads attributed to trojanized versions of popular games like International Snooker 2012, The Sims 3, Angry Birds, GRID, Two Worlds II, Bejeweled 3, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2. WireLurker crashes malicious executables, dynamic libraries and configurations files once it finds itself on a computer. The downloaded pirated apps work generally to avoid raising any suspicion.

It is said by the chief technology officer that “You are unlikely to be hit with this malware unless you are using a third party OS X app store AND have changed default OS X Security & Privacy settings to 'Allow apps downloaded from: Anywhere”.

Those people who are not buying pirated apps from the site are safe as this malware is spreading through Maiyadi app.

"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," Apple said in a statement. "As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources."

It is said by the firm that the malware is also working on devices that have not been “jailbroken”, a special technique that changes iOS on a smartphone or tablet and allows users to download apps or perform functions unavailable through Apple’s App Store.

It has been suggested by the experts to the users to always download apps from the official Apple app store and keep their devices up to date by installing an antivirus and security software and not to pair devices with any unknown computers and also to avoid third-party iOS app stores.

As Apple device can be infected with a malware likewise malware can also infect android devices. But you can protect your android device from malware and keep your device safe from malware.

For more info, please visit the site- http://www.defendpcthreats.com/protect-android-device-mal...