Earlier this month, a new type of Mac- and iOS-based malware called “WireLurker” appeared online. Apple responded by blocking affected apps from launching on OS X, but another development was made in the case today.
According to ZDNet, Chinese authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the malware and taken down the website that was found to be distributing it. The suspects are believed to be the creators of the software.
WireLurker was originally discovered by Palo Alto Networks just under two weeks ago. The software was distributed through infected third-party apps downloaded from unofficial sources, and would wait until an iOS device was plugged in, then infect that device.
Once the iOS device was infected, the software was capable of uploading details like contact information and text message contents to a remote server. It could also be remotely updated with new capabilities. Apple blocked infected Mac apps from running on OS X two days after it was discovered.
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I wonder if iOS 8.1.1 is immune.
All iOS is immune. You could catch it via a jailbroken iPhone, or by downloading malware for OS X, then plugging in your iPhone could be infected, but going direct to iOS was never the problem.
Well, I know OS X has Gatekeeper and Xprotect, I was just wondering if there were iOS analogues. It’s relatively easy to get information on OS X but Apple is pretty close-mouthed about iOS.
“You could catch it via a jailbroken iPhone” this is exactly why I don’t jailbreak my phone.
I wonder if really the creators were arrested… in other cases the Chinese authorities are not usually this fast…