These iPhone apps were found to be linked to a malware server
The Apple App Store is still considered one of the safest places from which to download your mobile apps. Apps are curated, reviewed and any security concerns are almost always immediately addressed by Apple.
However, cybercriminals are constantly developing new and clever techniques to rip you off. If they can find a loophole they can exploit, they will certainly use it as much as they can.
Take these number of apps, for example. They may look like harmless fun now but are they hiding a dark secret that will bite you down the road?
These iOS apps are bad news
Fourteen iOS apps that are available in Apple’s App Store were found to be communicating with and sending information to a server that’s associated with an Android-based malware known as Golduck.
Golduck-infected Android apps were known for installing backdoors that allowed malicious code to be silently pushed to the infected gadgets. This allowed hackers to install malware that generates profit at the expense of the victim – sending premium SMS text messages without consent, for example.
At the time of its discovery, more than 10 million Android users were affected by the Golduck malware, typically via classic and retro games available on the official Google Play app store.
Now, researchers from enterprise security company Wandera said that more than a dozen apps for the iPhone may be posing the same dangers.
The company reported that 14 iOS apps are linked to the same command-and-control server that was used for the Android Golduck malware campaign.
Similar to the Android apps, these iOS apps are also classic and retro-style games. The apps in the list include:
- Commando Metal
- Classic Contra
- Super Pentron Adventure: Super Hard
- Classic Tank vs Super Bomber
- Super Adventure of Maritron
- Roy Adventure Troll Game
- Trap Dungeons: Super Adventure
- Bounce Classic Legend
- Block Game
- Classic Bomber: Super Legend
- Brain It On: Stickman Physics
- Bomber Game: Classic Bomberman
- Classic Brick – Retro Block
- The Climber Brick
- Chicken Shoot Galaxy Invaders.
All in all, the 14 apps have reportedly been collectively installed for almost 1 million times since release. Thankfully, as of this time, these games are no longer available to download from Apple’s U.S. App Store.
If you have any of these games installed on your iOS gadget, please delete them immediately.
These apps can turn at any time
According to Wandera, although at this point, the communication with the server is still relatively benign since it merely pushes a list of icons to an ad space section on the upper-right corner of the affected apps.
However, that can change at any time because the link between the apps and the malicious server can be used to push malicious code instead.
The researchers also warned that the affected apps are also sending tons of data to the Golduck server including IP address, location data, device type, app version and the number of ads displayed on the phone.
But to be clear, right now, the apps themselves have not been hacked nor compromised in any way but cybercriminals can easily exploit the ad space to push malicious code in the future.
Click here to read Wandera’s full report.
How to protect yourself from questionable apps
Although official app stores like Apple’s and Google’s Play store are still the safest ways to download and install apps, sometimes crafty developers are able to sneak in questionable apps through the cracks.
To protect yourself from shady developers, be careful with what apps you download and install on your gadgets. If you’re having second thoughts about a lesser known app that you don’t absolutely need, then don’t do it.
Here are other safety tips you can employ to avoid getting victimized by unscrupulous apps:
- Check the apps’ developer – Verifying the name of the app developer is important. Copycat apps will have a different developer’s name than the actual one. Before downloading an app, do a Google search to find the original developer.
- Reviews – Most of the popular apps will have reviews by other users in the app store. You can sometimes find reviews by experts online. These are helpful at pointing out malicious or faulty apps. If you find a review warning the app is malicious, do NOT download it.
- Update your gadget – Make sure that you have downloaded the latest security and operating system updates. These updates usually include patches to help protect your device from the most recent threats.
Watch out! This elaborate Apple phishing attack will steal your identity
As I have said in the past, phishing scams are one of the most prevalent and devious online scams out there. They use phony emails that seem like they are from a trusted source, but in reality are tricks to get you to click or enter information that allows the scammer to have access to either personal or financial information. This latest phishing scam uses people’s trust in Apple to do just that. This is what to look out for.
10 clever tricks every iPhone user will wish they knew sooner
Remember: An iPhone is basically just a computer that fits in your pocket – and in many ways, it’s even better than a computer. The iPhone camera is better than many point-and-shoot cameras. Your iPhone may even be able to store more data than a cheap desktop, and the apps are comparable to those on any device on the market. It’s so powerful that there are sure to be features that you don’t even know about.
Beware of these Touch ID scam apps on the Apple App Store
Scammers are getting really good at what they do. They have constantly been upgrading the way they go about taking advantage of us. They use something that is seemingly innocuous and twist it to be malicious. This most recent scam involves the Apple App Store, your fingerprint and almost $100. Make sure you avoid some of these malicious apps so you can remain protected.
If you have an Apple ID, you may have been hacked
If you have an Apple device, you already know what Apple ID is. In fact, you know it very well because you have to use your Apple ID quite frequently to sign into your devices and to log in to the App Store or iTunes. Recently, there seems to be a hack that has targeted Apple IDs and locking users out. Here is what to do if you have already been hacked, and if not, how to protect yourself.
Apple has a new brilliant way to stop hackers from spying through your laptop
Apple’s MacOS is known to be one of the more secure operating systems out there. However, due to its increasing popularity and expanding user base, hackers and cybercriminals are starting to victimize iMacs and MacBooks more and more.
iPhones, Macs and iPads vulnerable to the 'Ping of Death' flaw
Apple products have long had a reputation for tighter security. One of the most common reasons why users stick with Macs and iOS gadgets’ walled gardens was to get away from malware and other security threats that constantly bombard other platforms.
How to get a copy of what Apple tracks and knows about you
At this point if we aren’t sure, we at least assume big tech companies have plenty of data on us. Facebook’s issues there have been well documented, and it has come out that Google has been keeping tabs on us, too.
And as much as Apple talks about privacy, they are in the same boat. The tech giant knows some stuff about us, although it is significantly less than the other companies have been revealed to be collecting.
iOS 12 security settings you need to change right now
With all the security features in iOS 12, there’s no reason to have an unsecured phone. Here are some of the most important settings you’ll want to use immediately.
Now, Apple is tracking your calls and emails to see if you're trustworthy
To combat fraud, Apple is doing something that seems to compromise privacy – it’s collecting data on your phone calls and emails.
Sneaky iOS scam spreading now
Crooks are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to trick you into forking over some of your hard-earned cash. Once people get wise to their tricks, scammers tweak them to become even more deceptive. And their creativity knows no bounds. Take this tricky new iPhone scam that’s currently making the rounds. It’s so cleverly done, you might fall for it if you’re not careful.
12 texting tips you didn’t know the iPhone could do
Texts used to be handy; now they’re an integral part of our lives. We hold entire conversations via text. We exchange GIFs, emojis, and videos with ease. Not sure what kind of butter to buy? Text your spouse a picture of two brands to get the answer. Wouldn’t it be nice to know some texting tricks?
Need someone to fix your cracked iPhone screen? Let Amazon do it for you
A damaged screen is one of (if not the) most common gadget disasters that can befall a smartphone owner. If you’re bold and handy enough, you can repair your iPhone screen yourself. But the procedure can be tricky and may lead to further damage. This is why this new in-home service from Amazon will surely be a huge help to every iPhone owner out there!
Free photography lessons you’ll really love from Apple
Do you want to take the iPhone photography game to another level? In case you didn’t know, beyond the quick snapshot or selfie, you can do so much more with your iPhone camera.
You can take dramatic portrait shots, detailed close-ups, vertical panoramic shots and you can even take advantage of available light for unique effects.
Secret Siri commands you're probably not using
We all know that Siri can help with directions. But, if that’s all you’re using Apple’s virtual assistant for, you’re only scratching the surface of what she’s capable of. From practical skills that help you get things done quickly, to funny responses that will make you laugh, these Siri commands will help you get more out of the program.
Is Apple's FaceID a powerful mass spying tool?
Facial recognition is about to change the way we access our phones, but is it actually safe? If you’re concerned about government surveillance, you need to read this. There may be more behind the iPhone X’s FaceID feature than originally meets the eye.
The one way to know your iPad or iPhone has a virus
We used to think Apple’s iOS gadgets were pretty immune to viruses and malware. Sadly, over the past year, hackers have turned their attention to our mobile gear. Honestly, I’m not surprised at all. Why?
Stop and think about how much of your life is on your iPhone or iPad. Personal photos, contacts, your exact GPS location, your emails and probably much more are all on that handy little gadget you carry around.