iPad users on Windows targeted with malware
Summary
Scammers are distributing e-mails designed to trick iPad owners into downloading software that they think is an iTunes update.
Topics
Scammers are distributing e-mails designed to trick iPad owners into downloading software that they think is an iTunes update, but which turns out to be malware that opens a back door on the computer, researchers warned on Monday.
Read more about iPad in ZDNet's Special Report
The e-mails have a subject line that says "iPad Software Update" and offer a link to a Web page that looks like a legitimate iTunes download page, according to BitDefender. Instead, the link installs malware identified as Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY, according to the BitDefender blog.
The malware injects itself in to the "explorer.exe" process and opens up a back door that attackers can use to take control of the system whenever they want, the post said. It also attempts to read the keys and serial numbers of the various software programs installed on the computer and logs passwords to the victim's ICQ, Messenger, and POP3 mail accounts, and protected storage, BitDefender said.
For more on this story, read iPad users on Windows targeted with malware on CNET News.
Just In
Everyone knows that Apple products can be used to insert viruses into alien('s) computers.
There's no viruses here. There's just a simple, run-of-the-mill, socially
engineered strategy for getting gullible computer users to install
malware on their Windows machines. The malware in question will not
run on OS X or the iPad, nor is it in anyway passed from the iPad to the
Windows machine.
...But then again, yes, if an alien lifeform attacked Earth, you just might
be able to use your iPad to inject some sort of virus into the attackers
mother ship, giving you time to nuke them while they reboot.
engineered strategy for getting gullible computer users to install
malware on their Windows machines. The malware in question will not
run on OS X or the iPad, nor is it in anyway passed from the iPad to the
Windows machine.
...But then again, yes, if an alien lifeform attacked Earth, you just might
be able to use your iPad to inject some sort of virus into the attackers
mother ship, giving you time to nuke them while they reboot.
you would have to get permission from Jobs to put the virus on the iPad in the first place for injection.
The headlines would read. World Destroyed. Jobs Refused To Allow App To Save The World.
The headlines would read. World Destroyed. Jobs Refused To Allow App To Save The World.
so there would be no headlines to read. 
--Ram--
--Ram--
nt
.
When all he would have had to do was go on eBay
and buy Pre-Installed Sim Unlocker and Jail Breaker.
So his virus design wouldn't destroy his bank that
runs Windows. Now it wouldn't destroy the whole
world, just him and his Uber Cult followers that
refuse to unlock and jail break their iPhones and
iPads for full World Wide Web Access!
While continues to imprison developers in his
all controlling power from the depths of Hades!
....or is that his control booth, like in the
Wizard of Oz? haha.... No wonder he wanted to
own the film industry's Special Effects leader!
and buy Pre-Installed Sim Unlocker and Jail Breaker.
So his virus design wouldn't destroy his bank that
runs Windows. Now it wouldn't destroy the whole
world, just him and his Uber Cult followers that
refuse to unlock and jail break their iPhones and
iPads for full World Wide Web Access!
While continues to imprison developers in his
all controlling power from the depths of Hades!
....or is that his control booth, like in the
Wizard of Oz? haha.... No wonder he wanted to
own the film industry's Special Effects leader!
>>...But then again, yes, if an alien lifeform attacked Earth, you just
might be able to use your iPad to inject some sort of virus into the
attackers mother ship, giving you time to nuke them while they reboot.
jaypeg, thanks for that. you just made my day.
--Ram--
might be able to use your iPad to inject some sort of virus into the
attackers mother ship, giving you time to nuke them while they reboot.
jaypeg, thanks for that. you just made my day.
--Ram--
independenceDayPad, ftw.
Welcome to Earth!
Welcome to Earth!
...in the movie Independence Day...
Everyone knows that Apple products can be used to insert viruses into alien('s) computers.
Unless I'm misreading the information, it's strictly a Windows malware. It's just that people who own an iPad are either getting these e-mails, or are falling for them.
Unless I'm misreading the information, it's strictly a Windows malware. It's just that people who own an iPad are either getting these e-mails, or are falling for them.
Just more Windows malware. Not even really news anymore.
It's a reference to the movie Independence Day
Actually one of my favorite movies....
bah, long weekend... should have noticed the sarcasm.
Actually one of my favorite movies....
bah, long weekend... should have noticed the sarcasm.
I have often wished there was a specific font that could be used for sarcasm/humor/cynicism. It could just be called "sarcastic" and would always alert the reader no matter what their mental state was. Perhaps an HTML tag that changes text to that font.
Apple probably is in the process of patenting it right now that you gave them the idea
Like it is well know that a PowerBook can be used to inject a virus into an
alien computer?
Then again there are many Anti-Apple articles on ZDNet lately, it is a bit
ridiculous how the large amount of negative press can make people feel.
alien computer?
Then again there are many Anti-Apple articles on ZDNet lately, it is a bit
ridiculous how the large amount of negative press can make people feel.
And I notice there isn't a lot of NBMer activity here.
No pot to p!ss in, boys?
lol..
No pot to p!ss in, boys?
lol..
China?
The only Apple thing used here is the trademark. If you mean obsessive
interest in Apple's products can be used in social engineering attacks (or
over enthusiastic ZDNet blog titles) then you're right.
But I suspect this isn't what you mean. Which puts you in the other state.
What can we learn from this blog and your reaction to it? Well let's calm
the view of Apple and its products and try and keep some perspective...
That might be a good lesson.
interest in Apple's products can be used in social engineering attacks (or
over enthusiastic ZDNet blog titles) then you're right.
But I suspect this isn't what you mean. Which puts you in the other state.
What can we learn from this blog and your reaction to it? Well let's calm
the view of Apple and its products and try and keep some perspective...
That might be a good lesson.
Du Fuhrer Jobs just wants you safe inside his
Concentration Camp (Walled Garden) to protect you from
the Windows Monopoly and get you into his! So he gets
in your door with the iPad (sterile blood sucker) to
prove that Apple's products are so over controlled, that
you'll never get a virus.
Because they aren't even capable of using/viewing the
whole World Wide Web. So you should switch from Windows
to a i7 iMac too (the real iPhail 7x) just to be safe
from threats on the web (u can't stay up and running
longer than 5 min on one), and you'll spend your time
taking your iPhail i7 back in 7x to be replaced!
Concentration Camp (Walled Garden) to protect you from
the Windows Monopoly and get you into his!
So he gets in your door with the iPad (sterile blood sucker) to
prove that Apple's products are so over controlled, that
you'll never get a virus.
Because they aren't even capable of using/viewing the
whole World Wide Web. So you should switch from Windows
to a i7 iMac too (the real iPhail 7x) just to be safe
from threats on the web (u can't stay up and running
longer than 5 min on one), and you'll spend your time
taking your iPhail i7 back in 7x to be replaced!
Your home page headline reads "Malware hits iPad users" -
and even this headline ("iPad users on Windows targeted with
malware") is very easily misunderstood.
After reading this article, it's clear the malware issue has
_nothing_ to do with iPad and everything to do with Windows
and explorer.exe.
and even this headline ("iPad users on Windows targeted with
malware") is very easily misunderstood.
After reading this article, it's clear the malware issue has
_nothing_ to do with iPad and everything to do with Windows
and explorer.exe.
There are fewer things I hate more than being
tricked into reading an article.
Here I was, happily perusing the ZDNet
headlines, and I see an article that may
provide me with new information relevant to me
as an IT support provider.
Alas, I am disappointed yet again. This article
is nothing than another warning about email
based malware distribution.
The author should be ashamed.
tricked into reading an article.
Here I was, happily perusing the ZDNet
headlines, and I see an article that may
provide me with new information relevant to me
as an IT support provider.
Alas, I am disappointed yet again. This article
is nothing than another warning about email
based malware distribution.
The author should be ashamed.
I remember when Mobile Me first came out that some users were doped into giving up information like credit cards numbers in a phishing scam. When the dummy behind the monitor freely gives up information their is not much you can do but let him or her learn from their mistakes. But it would be nice if Apple paid a little more attention to its customers and tried to warn them.
At this point in time, warning users that email
can contain unsafe links is the same as warning
smokers that cigarette can cause cancer.
The information is out there. It's unavoidable.
Unless someone is using email for the very
first time (and just for giggles, we'll give
the user a 6 month grace period) there is quite
literally NO WAY that they can claim ignorance
of the potential consequences.
can contain unsafe links is the same as warning
smokers that cigarette can cause cancer.
The information is out there. It's unavoidable.
Unless someone is using email for the very
first time (and just for giggles, we'll give
the user a 6 month grace period) there is quite
literally NO WAY that they can claim ignorance
of the potential consequences.
A rotten apple for sure. I thought Steve had a
get out of jail free card. Shows to go you that
no ones perfect, even if they think they are. Munch,munch my eve
get out of jail free card. Shows to go you that
no ones perfect, even if they think they are. Munch,munch my eve
And it barely gets around to mentioning that the target is Windows systems, not the iPad.
Oh wait, this is another zdnet hatchet job. Ah well, and it's only Tuesday...
Oh wait, this is another zdnet hatchet job. Ah well, and it's only Tuesday...
What amazes me is the total lack of useful information. Does it clearly
explain what this looks like, how it get to you, and what you should do?
Of course not, ZDNet isn't about useful information for readers, just page
views.
Someone at ZDNet should get a clue, just stoking the "Mac vs PC"
flamewar is driving serious IT professionals away - before too long your
users will stop drawing the advertisers.
explain what this looks like, how it get to you, and what you should do?
Of course not, ZDNet isn't about useful information for readers, just page
views.
Someone at ZDNet should get a clue, just stoking the "Mac vs PC"
flamewar is driving serious IT professionals away - before too long your
users will stop drawing the advertisers.
You should add "Dumb" to the beginning of the title...
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