Scary new malware

[zuben el genub]

Spyware Matching FinFisher Can Take Over IPhones - Bloomberg

If this gets going, I doubt Android will be immune.

 

[MacFett]

But... but... but... Apple is impervious to virii...

 

[pbf98]

take that and shove it apple, hope this helps me never hear apple fan boys saying apple products are impervious to viruses ever again

 

[Kamau]

I just didn't know this kind of capability has come over to the private sector.

Spyware Matching FinFisher Can Take Over IPhones- Bloomberg

The FBI has been doing this for a couple years now, being able to activate a cell phone mic & camera, gps and other stuff, all without the user's knowledge. But now, someone has figured out how to do it as a virus/malware.

 

[DonB]

I will merge this thread as it is already posted here.

 

[Kamau]

Thanks.

 

[cleanmop3]

My camera keeps making clicky noises (I think).
Maybe my paranoia has got the best of me.. I usually cover the ffc. ;p

More on topic, though, malware is common for devices that become well known. Apple is finally going through technological puberty, so to speak. I had to laugh when there was a virus outbreak on Macs.

 

[Bob Maxey]

take that and shove it apple, hope this helps me never hear apple fan boys saying apple products are impervious to viruses ever again

And I'll stand corrected, but in scanning the article, still, I saw nothing to indicate that the threat is real. I did read where apparently, there have been no problems reported, just lots of "this could happen" stuff.

Apple s tightly wound and getting iOS to do simple things can be a chore. the threat is perhaps larger with android and android forces us to violate most time honored security practices anyway.

And some iOS devices are made less secure by Jailbreaking. Especially if you do not change your root password. Apparently, the problems occur because people still follow links and some get into trouble.

 

[9to5cynic]

Apparently, the problems occur because people still follow links and some get into trouble.

Wait - you mean I *didn't* just win a $500 gift card?!



As far as this goes, I'm not terribly concerned just yet, when we start seeing reports of it happening, then I'll be screaming that the sky is falling.



But the idea of remotely turning on system components like that is interesting. If say it was an application / virus that would auto turn on mobile data to pull for updated commands (ie: turn on camera) it could be interesting. I'm not sure (otherwise) how it would respond to airplane mode. I think it would need to have a function to check for commands. Interesting.