Jailbroken Apple products hit by new malware

Here’s another reason to think twice before jailbreaking Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch: a new malware threatens to steal data and allow remote control of the device. Indian security researcher Atul Alex’s malware can intercept calls, steal data, and provide a reverse virtual network connection, The Hacker News reported Saturday. “The malware can be deployed remotely over the Web and is supposed to work on the latest iOS 5," it said. Alex said that while Apple products are extremely secure by design, the malware works on jailbroken devices. He said about up 90 percent of users may have jailbroken devices. Jailbreaking is the process of removing the limitations imposed by Apple on devices running the iOS operating system, to allow unauthorized apps to run on them. The Hacker News said the malware malware’ features include:

• Control devices by SMS
• Invisible Malware
• VNC Server to view remote screen
• Record and listen to all calls remotely
• Upload/download user Data
• Access all mails and texts

The malware will be demonstrated next month at the upcoming International Malware Conference (MalCon) in Mumbai, India. According to The Hacker News, Alex had previously coded and demonstrated a custom malicious firmware for Symbian last year. — TJD, GMA News