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iPhones, iPads hacked and hijacked via remote access


Hackers hijacked several Apple devices such as Macs, iPhones and iPads in Australia this week, demanding payment in exchange for unlocking them.
 
Many of the affected users who took to Apple's support forums said the hijackers were demanding $100 or 100 euro to be paid via online payment service PayPal.
 
"According to that discussion, users are finding all of their devices locked at once rather than a single device per user. Based on that report and the fact that Find My iPhone is being used to hold the devices hostage, it seems likely that the perpetrator has gained access to these users’ iCloud accounts—possibly through password reuse by those users—rather than some device-specific malware or hack," reported Apple enthusiast site 9to5mac.com.
 
It added the users who set passcodes on their devices managed to regain access.
 
Users in the forum said the iDevice suddenly locked up and displayed a message claiming one "Oleg Pliss" had hacked the device.
 
However, they doubted Oleg Pliss would be the culprit as he is a known software engineer and tech scientist, and "would not go about asking money to unlock iDevices."
 
The Sydney Morning Herald said the hacks affected users in Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria.
 
Tips vs attacks
 
Meanwhile, 9to5mac.com suggested measures to prevent an attack:
 
  • Use unique passwords for multiple services
  • Use two-factor authentication
  • Use a passcode or Touch ID on iOS devices.
 
 
 — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News
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