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Technical News & Discussion => Apple News & Discussion => Topic started by: zappaDPJ on May 27, 2014, 15:14:30

Title: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: zappaDPJ on May 27, 2014, 15:14:30
QuoteOwners of Apple devices across Australia are having them digitally held for ransom by hackers demanding payment before they will relinquish control.

iPad, iPhone and Mac owners in Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria have reported having their devices held hostage.
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/consumer-security/australian-apple-idevices-hijacked-held-to-ransom-20140527-zrpbj.html

More here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6270410?start=0&tstart=0

It's pretty obvious all these users have a service in common that's been compromised and my money is on eBay.
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Simon on May 27, 2014, 16:57:13
How can it be localised to that region?
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Simon on May 27, 2014, 17:00:37
Also, can't they just reset their phones and restore from a backup?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: zappaDPJ on May 27, 2014, 17:13:34
I think a lot of people don't sync their devices so there is no backup. As to why it's localised, who knows, maybe they just haven't got to Austria yet :dunno:
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Steve on May 27, 2014, 17:41:31
I presume this is an iCloud hack which is a worry
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: zappaDPJ on May 27, 2014, 19:30:23
It's starting to look that way. There are reports that people changing their details are having their devices hacked and locked for the second time.
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Bill on May 27, 2014, 21:09:01
Quote from: Simon on May 27, 2014, 16:57:13
How can it be localised to that region?

By using the "Find my ..." service:

http://www.tuaw.com/2014/05/27/ransomware-worries-turn-off-find-my-mac-find-my-iphone
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Simon on May 27, 2014, 23:51:12
I've never used any of those services. 
Title: Re: Australian Apple iDevices hijacked, held to ransom
Post by: Steve on May 28, 2014, 08:00:25
What baffles me as to why some people don't use a passcode.