iOS might not be that safe after all; claims FireEye

When compared to the Android, Apple devices are considered to be safer and dependable. The safety levels differ because both the devices are based on different platforms, different scripts and till now it was believed that Apple devices cannot be hacked. However, it seems that the hackers might have found a way around the security measures in iOS. According to the security company FireEye, hackers have found a way to crack devices with the help of malicious apps.

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The reason for this could be that the researchers are finding security holes in the Apple operating systems and it encouraged these hackers to target Apple. Ever since its creation Apple devices’ security has been next to unbreakable but with these new reports, it could be under scrutiny quite soon.

Until now, most of the hackers focused on the Android based devices as they formed the largest market and would affect a large number of people at the same time. In a report that FireEye released this week, it was revealed that these hackers might be using legitimate looking apps but they are only meant to serve the purpose of the hacker. FireEye came to know about these developments when it examined about 400 GB of corporate data that was posted online by the hackers who were involved in the cyber-attack on the Italian internet and surveillance security firm Hacking team.The data also revealed that the firm was working with several governments like Uzbekistan, Egypt and Sudan.

FireEye’s senior research scientist, Zhaofeng Chen, wrote,” FireEye has recently uncovered 11 iOS apps within the Hacking Team’s arsenal that utilize Masque attacks, making the first instance of targeted iOS malware being used against non-jailbroken iOS devices.” These hackers are making use of the vulnerabilities in the iOS through apps disguised as Facebook, Twitter and WhastApp to steal personal information.Many of these apps are from outside the market and require special permissions from the user to be installed. FireEye reported that the installation happens when a user clicks a link that was sent to them through an email or a website.These apps can be used to monitor the internet behavior of any person and can be easily used by either the government or other spy agencies.

FireEye has recommended the Apple users to keep their devices up to date and keep an eye on how they are installing their apps. Installing Apps from the app store is the best and safe method to get any app.