iPad users in the fraudsters sights

Apple iPad
Source: Apple Computer Inc. Apple's latest iPad device requires an update for iTunes to keep the installed software up to date – at least that's what some fraudsters want users to believe. Criminals are sending out emails instructing iPad users to download and install a new version of iTunes for Windows. A link in the email takes users to a very realistic fake copy of the iTunes website.

According to BitDefender, rather than installing iTunes, the downloaded 'update' installs malware, including a back door, Bifrose.AADY, which steals passwords and serial numbers for installed Windows software. The iPad itself is not even involved and does not become infected. The fraudsters' success rate in infecting Windows PCs, in the face of an estimated 1 million iPad sales to date, is impossible to predict. It wouldn't take many sets of bank account access data, however, to keep most criminals happy.

Apropos iPad security, the iPad operating system appears to have inherited a number of security vulnerabilities from the iPhone. iPhone and PS3 hacker George Hotz, also known as Geohot, claims to have jailbroken the iPad, allowing him to install his own software. He is reported to be working on a successor to his BlackRa1n tool which will jailbreak both iPhones and iPads and will be called LimeRa1n.

See also:

• Could Apple's iPad be the New Firefox?, a report from The H.

(crve)