Tech Crunch mentioned that Apple could have accidentally allowed the approval of Been Choice to its smartphones. According to their research, the malicious software was the first of its kind. As such, users can enable the app to block advertisements whenever browsing on the web. The malware consists of four components, each one signed with an enterprise certificate.
Advertisement
We recently identified a new Apple iOS malware and named it YiSpecter. In spite of the unique nature of both malware, Palo Alto Networks says there is no evidence that XcodeGhost and YiSpecter are related. The app of course, delivers an ad-free experience to users but at the same time, content publishers and app developers have to compromise from the new offering.
What makes the decision even more weird is that this isn’t just an app for blocking ads, it’s also a survey app that offers rewards in return for answering questions about your favourite member of One Direction or the moisturiser you use.
Once installed on a device, YiSpecter can download, install, and launch arbitrary apps, hijack other apps’ execution, and upload device information to the command and control server.
After reports of overheating Touch ID buttons among iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus users in the USA, it’s the turn of Chinese owners of Apple devices to be hit by a malware. It uses the new ad-blocking features included in the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system to let users block adverts in the Safari web browser, similar to other adblockers such as Crystal or Purity.
The discovery of YiSpecter follows the WireLurker malware infection – identified in November – which also targeted non-jailbroken iOS devices by using enterprise certificates. The result is a piece of malware that is potentially far more risky than anything seen before. It pushes the line barrier of iOS security back another step. The degree of ire from ad-dependent publishing companies about iOS 9’s blocking features has centred on the fact that Apple itself is funded by its own absurdly successful hardware sales, and need have no consideration for other models when catering for a post-Snowden generation of consumers who are increasingly looking for a little more respect.
Advertisement
Last month, another malware called XcodeGhost infected nearly 40 popular apps in the Chinese App Store, which is very uncommon because Apple first subjects apps to strict security.
