MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Massive hacking of iTunes accounts happening right now!

vaughnmr · 07-04-2010, 07:57 PM

Here's more news on this developing story:

•A number of iTunes accounts have been hacked from across the globe, not just the US, and used to purchase apps.
•iTunes users have reported anywhere between $100-$1400 spent using their accounts.
•The trend: buy a couple of low cost apps ($1-$3) and then one app at an extortionate price ($90+).
•We’ve also seen a reports of a free app being bought and using in app purchases to effectively send money to the app developers accounts. The app is called World War.
•Apple’s only response so far has been to ask users to change their password. We have also contacted Apple and are awaiting a response.
•Many of the apps have been purchased to specifically climb up the iTunes ranking to gain momentum in the hope that others will purchase the apps based on their high sales.
•Currently all the app purchased have been owned by Asia based developers with little information known about them. Clearly they feel being based in Asia will give them immunity to any US laws.
•This seems to have been happening over the course of the last 4 weeks, although MacRumors shows hacking on some level dating back to 2009.
•The App developers are using images from the web as their app icons
•The developers website and support links direct users to non-existent websites or landing pages.
•The initial rogue developer’s have now been removed from the app store but other unethical developers still have their accounts available in the app store – details on those to come.

Evidently this has been going on for several weeks, but the floodgates opened today, on the US holiday. There are reports from US banks reporting numerous fraud incidents.

It would be a good idea for everyone to check out their bank accounts, just in case. I absolutely hate this kind of news!

07-04-2010, 07:57 PM	#33
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	Here's more news on this developing story: •A number of iTunes accounts have been hacked from across the globe, not just the US, and used to purchase apps. •iTunes users have reported anywhere between $100-$1400 spent using their accounts. •The trend: buy a couple of low cost apps ($1-$3) and then one app at an extortionate price ($90+). •We’ve also seen a reports of a free app being bought and using in app purchases to effectively send money to the app developers accounts. The app is called World War. •Apple’s only response so far has been to ask users to change their password. We have also contacted Apple and are awaiting a response. •Many of the apps have been purchased to specifically climb up the iTunes ranking to gain momentum in the hope that others will purchase the apps based on their high sales. •Currently all the app purchased have been owned by Asia based developers with little information known about them. Clearly they feel being based in Asia will give them immunity to any US laws. •This seems to have been happening over the course of the last 4 weeks, although MacRumors shows hacking on some level dating back to 2009. •The App developers are using images from the web as their app icons •The developers website and support links direct users to non-existent websites or landing pages. •The initial rogue developer’s have now been removed from the app store but other unethical developers still have their accounts available in the app store – details on those to come. Evidently this has been going on for several weeks, but the floodgates opened today, on the US holiday. There are reports from US banks reporting numerous fraud incidents. It would be a good idea for everyone to check out their bank accounts, just in case. I absolutely hate this kind of news!