PC malware targeting iTunes, iPad users
Here's a cute trick. Some PC owners are getting emails alerting them to a new version of iTunes that has been updated "...for best iPad performance, newer features and security."The email provides a link, asking recipients to download a "new" version of iTunes. You see where this is going, of course. Those who follow through actually download a counterfeit version of iTunes which contains malicious code that opens up a backdoor allowing unauthorized access to a PC.
According to security software firm BitDefender, the code, called Backdoor.Bifrose.AADY, attempts to read the keys and serial numbers of the various software installed on the affected computer. It also logs the victim's ICQ, Messenger and POP3 mail account password plus protected storage login.
Of course, BitDefender would be glad to sell you some anti-malware software to clean the mess up, but it's better still to know about this in advance and not download what looks like Apple software from anyone other than Apple.
Mac owners can rest easy. This malware only hits on PCs.
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Here's a cute trick. Some PC owners are getting emails alerting them to a new version of iTunes that has been updated "...for best iPad...
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Does anyone even use ICQ anymore? Does it want my old comupserve email address too?
April 27 2010 at 6:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI wonder who wrote the malware. Could it be a hacker that somebody from BitDefender commissioned?
Just sayin'.
Oh, and one more thing. Jordan: PC owners themselves are the security threats.
LoL, PC owners are a security threat? Well I suppose someone that only knows one way to do anything (whatever way Apple LET'S you) would think that. Most PC users know better then to click a link in an email, the others should move to Mac or as I like to call it, the iPlayskool, it's pretty and idiot proof. Alot of the Mac users I know are empirical evidence of that.
And Bat82, some of your points are valid about security, but itunes on the PC is utter garbage, seriously. Slow, unreliable, freezes and is just a pain in the @ss. There are plenty of better alternatives... for PC users anyway.
ICQ? This breach is going to affect three people
April 26 2010 at 5:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAhahaha. Next to the first response to Jordan above, this is the best comment of the day.
April 26 2010 at 5:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyiTunes on windows is like flash on a mac....but worse.
itunes truly sucks, especially when you sync and it frreezes with out fail...every time.
"Mac owners can rest easy. This Malware only hits on PCs."
Yay me :)
Most of these threats rely on users being idiots or not educated in web usage and some users may genuinely not have an updated PC. But it tends to be a very small percentage of these scams that end up making money. Once your personal data is harvested, including your address book, and maybe your Facebook login details, it's open season, but you would have to to be uneducated in regard to the issues surrounding online security (okay if you don't know about the issues surrounding this and how to use the Internet safely) or stupid and / or ignorant to allow that to happen.
The genuine iTunes is neither a performance threat, nor a security risk as opposed to downloading malware.
Only in the sense that its popularity is making it a scapegoat.
Yet another reason I'm glad I own my Macbook Pro and not a PC.
April 26 2010 at 3:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf you did have a PC would you have been dumb enough to click the link?
April 26 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNo, but if I received that email it wouldn't affect my Mac if I HAD clicked it. ;)
April 26 2010 at 4:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply@Jordan - you should delete iTunes immediately from your PC. Now that that's done you only have every other piece of windows software to uninstall to make your system stable and virus free.
Seriously anyone who installs and update via a link in an email they receive deserve exactly what they get. We teach our kids not to take candy from strangers but we can't follow this simple advise ourselves?
I believe when stuff like this happens, a policeman should break your door down and using a sledge hammer pound your pc into tiny bits and bar you from ever buying one again.
It is not necessarily to delete Itunes, the problem may be with your antivirus that it may not be working properly. Have you thought changing it? I recommand you to do it and you may consider install Kaspersky, I use it and i have no problems with it. It is working very good. You can find it here: http://www.trustdownload.com/Antivirus-and-Spyware-Cleaners/Antivirus/Kaspersky-Internet-Security-7.0.html
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