Advanced iOS Virus Targeting Pro-Democracy Occupy Protesters in Hong Kong

[dgstorm]

Here's a strange bit of news today. Supposedly security researchers from Lacoon Mobile Security have found an advanced piece of malware that is specifically targeting iOS users at the pro-Democracy "Occupy" protester rally in Hong Kong. It's called the Xsser virus, and it can steal text messages, photos, call logs, passwords and other data from Apple mobile devices.

The malicious app is spread by anonymous attackers through WhatsApp, by sending malicious links to download the program. It is still unclear how iOS devices are infected with Xsser because it doesn't disguise itself as an app. Lacoon Chief Executive Michael Shaulov indicated that this was the most sophisticated cyberattack against iOS to date.

The security researchers have been able to get a clue as to its origin. Some of the code used to control the server is in Chinese, and the fact that it is targeting these specific protesters leaves little doubt that it comes from China. Shaulov said, "It is the first time in history that you actually see an operationalized iOS Trojan that is attributed to some kind of Chinese entity."

The Lacoon researchers added in their blog post, "It can cross borders easily, and is possibly being operated by a Chinese-speaking entity to spy on individuals, foreign companies, or even entire governments."

Source: Yahoo