IPad users targeted in malware scare
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IPad owners should beware of unsolicited e-mails from malicious hackers inviting them to visit what turns out to be a fake iTunes site and download software that could put their personal information at risk, security firm BitDefender announced Tuesday.
According to BitDefender, some iPad owners have received e-mails claiming to be from Apple, asking recipients to download the latest version of iTunes to their personal computers. The e-mail includes a link to a third-party site operated by the hackers that looks like Apple’s own iTunes software page.
Upon downloading the fake software, malicious code that BitDefender has identified as ‘Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY’ will be added to the user’s PC, allowing hackers to gain access to the user’s computer. According to BitDefender, those hackers will be able to have ‘control over the affected system.’
Just as concerning, BitDefender says that the payload also logs e-mail passwords.
BitDefender was quick to point out that the malware affects only Windows computers, which means Mac OS X users will not be affected by the outbreak if they download the malicious software.
Luckily, protection for iPad owners is quite easy. As long as they don’t download the software from the hackers’ site they needn’t worry. A simple check of the site’s Web address and examination of the name of the file before it’s downloaded should help users to avoid any issue.
--Don Reisinger