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Apple Removes Hacked Apps, Warns Users of Breach
Posted by MOHAMED NIAMATH
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5:45 PM
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news
Apple has pulled App Store applications created by Vietnam-based developer Thuat Nguyen, who allegedly hacked iTunes accounts and manipulated ratings for his book apps. Nguyen's App Store ratings jumped and some users reported unexplained iTunes charges. There have been other reports about widespread hacking of iTunes accounts.
On Monday, Apple pulled applications in its App Store created by a Vietnam-based developer who may have manipulated ratings and hacked user accounts. The company also issued a warning to users to change their passwords.
The developer, Thuat Nguyen, allegedly entered iTunes accounts and manipulated the ratings for his book apps. On Sunday, several technology-enthusiast sites were reporting that the developer's applications had claimed 42 of the top 50 books in terms of revenue. At the same time, some users also reported unexplained iTunes charges on their accounts, reflecting hundreds of dollars for purchases of Nguyen's books.
'Fraudulent Purchase Patterns'
On Tuesday, Apple said Nguyen and his apps "were removed from the App Store for violating the developer program license agreement, including fraudulent purchase patterns." The titles in question, which have been removed from the App Store, were largely Japanese manga titles.
Apple noted that "developers do not receive any iTunes confidential customer Relevant Products/Services data when an app is downloaded," but it also recommended that all users change their iTunes account password "immediately." The company also suggested that, if a credit-card or iTunes password was stolen and used, the credit-card company should be contacted right away.
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On Monday, Apple pulled applications in its App Store created by a Vietnam-based developer who may have manipulated ratings and hacked user accounts. The company also issued a warning to users to change their passwords.
The developer, Thuat Nguyen, allegedly entered iTunes accounts and manipulated the ratings for his book apps. On Sunday, several technology-enthusiast sites were reporting that the developer's applications had claimed 42 of the top 50 books in terms of revenue. At the same time, some users also reported unexplained iTunes charges on their accounts, reflecting hundreds of dollars for purchases of Nguyen's books.
'Fraudulent Purchase Patterns'
On Tuesday, Apple said Nguyen and his apps "were removed from the App Store for violating the developer program license agreement, including fraudulent purchase patterns." The titles in question, which have been removed from the App Store, were largely Japanese manga titles.
Apple noted that "developers do not receive any iTunes confidential customer Relevant Products/Services data when an app is downloaded," but it also recommended that all users change their iTunes account password "immediately." The company also suggested that, if a credit-card or iTunes password was stolen and used, the credit-card company should be contacted right away.
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