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                       New Malware Targets Apple Devices

   by Reuters

   Palo Alto Networks Inc. has discovered a new family of malware that can
   infect Apple Inc.'s desktop and mobile operating systems, underscoring
   the increasing sophistication of attacks on iPhones and Mac computers.

   The "WireLurker" malware can install third-party applications on
   regular iOS devices with unmodified operating systems and hop from
   infected Macs onto iPhones through USB connector cables, said Ryan
   Olson, intelligence director at Palo Alto Networks.

   Palo Alto Networks said Wednesday that it had seen indications that the
   attackers were Chinese. The malware originated from a Chinese
   third-party app store and appeared to have mostly affected users within
   the country.

   The malware spread through infected apps uploaded to the app store,
   which were in turn downloaded onto Mac computers. According to the
   company, more than 400 such infected apps had been downloaded over
   350,000 times so far.

   It's unclear what the objective of the attacks was. There is no
   evidence that the attackers had made off with anything more sensitive
   than messaging IDs and contacts from users' address books, Olson added.

   But "they could just as easily take your Apple ID or do something else
   that's bad news," he said in an interview.

   Apple, which Olson said was notified a couple weeks ago, did not
   respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

   Once WireLurker gets on an iPhone, it can go on to infect existing apps
   on the device, somewhat akin to how a traditional virus infects
   computer software programs. Olson said it was the first time he had
   seen it in action.

   "It's the first time we've seen anyone doing it in the wild," he added.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-new-malware-targets-apple-devices/2510132.html