Cyber-Attack: Apple iOS App Store in the Throes of Malware
In what was seen as a first of its kind of attack, Apple Inc has suffered major internet intrusion in its iOS App Store by a malicious programme called XcodeGhost. Though the company has now taken necessary steps to remove infected iPad and iPhone programmes and files, it has still not announced a way for users to determine whether or not their devices have been infected.
The affected apps include Tencent Holdings Ltd’s popular mobile chat app WeChat, car-hailing app Didi Kuaidi and a music app from Internet portal NetEase Inc. According to the cyber-security firm, Palo Alto Networks Inc, a total of five infected apps have been found in the app store since this cyber-attack.
Christine Monaghan, the Apple spokeswoman, affirmed in an email,
“We’ve removed the apps from the App Store that we know have been created with this counterfeit software. We are working with the developers to make sure they’re using the proper version of Xcode to rebuild their apps.”
Though the malicious software was found embedded in hundreds of apps, Apple has not disclosed the exact number. Needless to say, this unprecedented incident has left Apple users more than just surprised all over the world.
