Following the news that a new malware targeting Apple products is mostly affecting Chinese users, Gavin Millard, EMEA Technical Director at Tenable Network Security writes:
"Since the launch of the App Store, and the ability to install third party software, iOS users have been effectively protected by the walled garden Apple setup, with security issues only impacting individuals that chose to jailbreak their devices. Allegedly, this new detected malware [WireLurker] has the ability to infect devices - even if they've not been Jailbroken, ultimately breaking the security model Apple implemented. If the research is solid, and the threat proves real, it won't be long before we see this approach affecting users in other countries, outside China.
Users should only ever download apps, on both desktop and mobile devices, from trusted sources and not jailbreak their iOS devices - unless they really understand, and are prepared to accept, the risks of doing so. They should also be mindful that others may not have been as diligent, so plugging devices into third party systems (such as a friend's PC) could open them up to the risk of infection."