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Hacking Apple

Apple devices targeted by ‘ransom’ hack

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By Natalie Mortimer, N/A

May 27, 2014 | 2 min read

A number of Australian Apple users have had their devices targeted by hackers who are demanding payment of a ransom to reverse the attack.

Apple and Mac users have posted messages on the technology company’s online forum reporting that they have had their devices locked by hackers who then demanded payment before releasing them, according to reports from Sky News.

A Melbourne based iPad user, veritylikestea, wrote that she had been using her device before it suddenly locked and then showed a message stating it had been hacked by ‘Oleg Pliss’.

She posted: “I was using my ipad a short while ago when suddenly it locked itself, and was askiwhich [sic] I'd never previously set up. I went to check my phone and there was a message on the screen (it's still there) saying that my device(s) had been hacked by 'Oleg Pliss' and he/she/they demanded $100 USD/EUR (sent by paypal to lock404(at)hotmail.com) to return them to me.”

Stay Smart Online, an Australian Government initiative posted a warning on its website today (27 May) advising Apple and Mac users to change their Apple ID password.

“Currently there is only speculation about how the attacks have been carried out. Apple has not yet responded officially,” the post read.

“Reports by affected users suggest that this attack is possibly the result of hackers compromising the device owner’s Apple ID and using this to access their iCloud account. From their iCloud account a hacker can activate the device’s ‘Lost Mode’, and possibly reset the phone’s access code.”

Stay Smart Online also advised those affected by the hack not to pay the ransom and to contact Apple directly for assistance.

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