Posted on 11/06/2014 10:14:15 AM PST by for-q-clinton
For most of the iPhone's lifespan, it's been effectively immune to malware. There were theoretical attacks and viruses targeting jailbroken phones, but thanks to the tight controls of the App Store, finding iOS malware in the wild has been nearly impossible. If you didn't jailbreak your phone and you weren’t targeted by the NSA, you simply didn't have to worry about catching a virus.
Yesterday, that changed. A security firm called Palo Alto Networks discovered a malware program they’re calling Wirelurker, which sneaks into computers through unauthorized Chinese apps, then attacks iOS devices when they connect over USB. It’s an obscure line of attack (when’s the last time you actually plugged your iPhone into your computer?), confined to China, and so far the effects have been minimal. The actual payload for non-jailbroken phones was just a test balloon, side-loading a comic book app to prove the attack really worked. Jailbroken phones got a nastier payload, infecting payment apps, but that's to be expected. Last night, Apple blocked the apps, saying "We are aware of malicious software available from a download site aimed at users in China, and we’ve blocked the identified apps to prevent them from launching. As always, we recommend that users download and install software from trusted sources." Less than 24 hours after Palo Alto Networks published its report, Wirelurker appears to be mostly wiped out. Still, that doesn't mean Apple is completely in the clear. The vulnerabilities exploited by Wirelurker will be around for much longer, and could pose a serious threat to Apple's otherwise spotless record. Now that the platform has had its first real virus scare, there's reason to think it won't be the last.
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
You can elect to not upgrade. Plenty of folks still running Snow Leopard out there, even on hardware that supports Yosemite.
I saw what happened when the mechanical design team had to move from Sun Micro based CAD tools to Wintel based CAD tools. All new computers, new monitors (30" ones, so big money), new input tablet hardware, new software (and the schedule hit to learn the new stuff). On and on and on.
And then you are at a competitive disadvantage because half your business no longer functions.
Yes it is exactly Apples business practices. They are the people releasing OS versions annually that stop entire blocks of hard and software from functioning.
The stories of both hard/soft developers dealing with Apple are legion. “Either fix it to work with this years total new thing or screw you” 365 days later. “Fix it to work with out new thing or screw you”.
Thats a fact. Do you not see an issue here?
It functions exactly the same way it always did. Snow Leopard didn’t start working when Lion was released. Windows XP still works, despite Windows 8 being the latest and greatest.
If you want newer hardware/software, well of course you have to upgrade. That’s not a vendor or operating system specific concept.
The last few OS upgrades have been free, mind you. If you need new hardware to run the latest software, then you need new hardware to run the latest software, regardless again of vendor.
Once again, you’re trying to turn something that’s a tautology into a “gotcha” point.
That should be: "Snow Leopard didn’t stop working when Lion was released"
Type, proofread, then post, not type, post, then proofread... sheesh.
It is the nature of things in very specialized vertical business solutions.
I just cut and pasted your reply into FR's edit window in iOS. If you want to SYNC your iPhone to iTunes or backup your iPhone it's done wirelessly and has been done so for four years. The description of this so-called "exploit" is as misinformed as you are. It, like your post, are based in outdated FUD.
Every upgrade of the apple OS, I read dozens of stories from studios whose associated hard/software stopped working. Every year. Every. Big studios and little home studios. And they are forced to pay.I upgraded my little hobby studio setup from XP to W7e2 to W764.
Microsoft worked WITH the companies. Microsoft released fixes. It all worked and not one cent was spent because nothing STOPPED working.
I run 10 year old XP programs and DRIVERS written for 32 bit XP that STILL work.
Apple makes the companies fix Apple’s mess.
Uh, no. Before that iphone will do ANYTHING over USB, you'd have to know the users passcode. Otherwise, ZIP. And getting it into a Mac is not as easy as these bozos claim.
The only reason you are here on this Apple thread is to spew your hatred and vitriol.
Its not the nature of things on the PC side of this. Not today. 20 years ago maybe. Thats why so many people in this side want off Apple but cannot for the factual reasons I mentioned above. Which is my entire point.
Spend 5K on an Antelope DAC and then try to get a PC driver. So you call Vintage King and order a shiny new Mytek that will work. For 5K. Times 32.
Rinse and repeat with 12 other pieces of hardware.
Then don’t respond and ignore me.
I get you are frustrated. But explain why the last example where you were unable to get Windows drivers for the DAC hardware is an Apple problem?
You haven't a clue about what you blither about, do you? You open your mouth and completely ignorant trash spills out. What a messy head you must have. . . it must be similar to a Windows hard drive after a few months of operation.
Ask yourself, why would this malware need to do this when most likely that data is already ON the Mac? This makes no sense.
Because Apple specific hardware is not AVAILABLE on the PC platform. Because it is TIED to the APPLE OS/Hardware. You cannot even plug it in to the PC half the time. It is DESIGNED to work with Apple at a very core level for timing purposes/low latiency. And every time Apple upgrades its OS, it no longer works. Once a year it no longer works. And Apple then tells these companies to deal with it.
I really don't think there's anything to get on top of. This supposedly has been in the wild for five months, but NO ONE HAS FOUND AN INFECTED MAC!!!! It's FUD!
Whatever. You’re a broken record repeating the same ol’ crap to protect apple your employer.
That STILL won't work. It requires the USB connection at both ends for the exploit, if it exists.
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