Generic OS X Malware Detection Method Explained

When it comes to detecting OS X malware, the future may not be rooted in machine learning algorithms, but patterns and heatmap visualization, a researcher posits. In an academic paper published by Virus Bulletin on Monday, Vincent Van Mieghem, a former student at the Delft University of Technolog...

YiSpecter Apple iOS Malware Distributes Adware

Researchers warned that the November unveiling of the WireLurker malware targeting Apple platforms could turn out to be a blueprint for Mac and iOS malware writers. While WireLurker was quickly squashed and proved to be fairly benign, its authors demonstrated how the abuse of Apple-issued...

Apple iOS 8.1.1 Fixes Several Code-Execution Flaws

Apple has patched 10 vulnerabilities in iOS, including a pair of bugs that allowed arbitrary code execution and one that enables an attacker to run random binaries on a target device. The patches come in iOS 8.1.1, a small update to the company’s mobile operating system. There are several serious...

Suspected Wirelurker iOS Malware Creators Arrested in China

It’s been almost two weeks since the WireLurker malware existence was revealed for the first time, and Chinese authorities have arrested three suspects who are allegedly the authors of the Mac- and iOS-based malware that may have infected as many as hundreds of thousands of Apple users. The Beiji...

Apple Offers Lukewarm Response to Masque Vulnerability

Apple said it is not aware of any customers affected by the Masque vulnerability disclosed earlier this week, and made no mention of a timeline when it might release an update patching the security hole. Masque is a vulnerability in iOS 7.1.1 and up that puts Apple mobile devices at risk to malwa...

Dennis Fisher and Mike Mimoso Discuss the Windows Schannel Vulnerability and Wirelurker

Mike Mimoso and Dennis Fisher talk about the Windows Schannel vulnerability and whether it’s ripe for mass exploitation, as well as the WireLurker attack and why Apple hasn’t addressed it. Download: digitalunderground171.mp3 Music by Chris Gonsalves...

Masque iOS Vulnerability Disclosed

The vulnerability used in the WireLurker attacks has been uncovered and was reported to Apple in July but has yet to be patched, a researcher at FireEye said. Today’s disclosure of the Masque attack, which affects iOS 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1, and 8.1.1 beta, revealed that Apple mobile devices are...

Windows Version of WireLurker Out of Commission Too

Given that most iPhone users update their Apple devices on Windows machines, it wasn’t really a shock to learn about the discovery of a Windows version of the WireLurker Trojan. Last night, researcher Jaime Blasco of AlienVault tweeted he had discovered the malware, which as it turns out, pre-dat...

WireLurker Mac OS X Malware Shut Down

WireLurker is no more. After causing an overnight sensation, the newly disclosed family of Apple Mac OS X malware capable of also infecting iOS devices has been put to rest. Researchers at Palo Alto Networks confirmed this morning that the command and control infrastructure supporting WireLurker...