Suspected creators of WireLurker malware arrested in China – report

At least three suspected creators of WireLurker, a malware that threatens Apple iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads, have been arrested in China, a tech site reported.

 

Police in Beijing arrested the three after getting a tip from Chinese security firm Qihoo 360 Technology, PC World quoted the Beijing police's Internet security team as saying.

 

Quoting the police's report on Chinese-language site Sina Weibo, PC World said the three suspects' full names were not published, though they were surnamed Chen, Li, and Wang.

 

It said the three were detained Thursday and charged for creating and spreading the malware.

 

Earlier this month, security vendor Palo Alto Networks said WireLurker threatens iPhones and iPads connected to infected Macs running OS X.

 

It said WireLurker can steal information from the mobile devices it infects and can regularly request updates from the attackers' command and control server.

 

Third-party app store closed

 

Investigation showed the suspects created WireLurker to gain illegal profits, and used a Chinese third-party application store called Maiyadi to spread the malware.

 

Qihoo 360 Technology traced the malware back to Maiyadi, which offers downloads of iOS apps and Mac software.

 

Maiyadi has also been shut down, PC World reported. — Joel Locsin/JDS/TJD, GMA News